Over at Wired.com, David Kravets writes about an order by a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) judge demanding that the US government begin to declassify its opinions related to the Patriot Act. The order "means the government likely will have to make public opinions surrounding the court's legal interpretations of Section 215 of the Patriot Act," a controversial provision that allows FISC "to authorize broad warrants for most any type of 'tangible' records, including those held by banks, doctors and phone companies."
Secret spy spy court demands government transparency on surveillance programs
Eyecam is a blinking, flitting webcam that looks back at you
This webcam, housed in an animatronic sculpture of a grossly disembodied human eye, was created by Marc Teyssier, Marion Koelle, Paul Strohmeier, Bruno Fruchard and Jürgen Steimle. [Human Computer Interaction Lab via The Verge] They call it the Eyecam and I lovehate it. Webcams that are in front of us, looking at us, constantly. What… READ THE REST
Evan Greer's "Surveillance Capitalism" is the internet's new official protest song
Evan Greer is trans-femme indie punk songwriter as well as an activist and the Deputy Director for the digital rights group Fight For The Future. Also, her new album — out this Friday 4/9, and delightfully titled Spotify is Surveillance — totally fucking rips. ("Emma Goldman Would Beat Your Ass," which I previously shared here… READ THE REST
Ikea France snooped on staff and customers for a decade, say prosecutors
Ikea set up a sprawling surveillance regime employing private detectives and corrupt cops to spy on its own staff and even customers, say prosecutors in France. The company's French subsidiary is going on trial this week along with former CEO Stefan Vanoverbeke, several former store managers and a number of police officers accused of handing… READ THE REST
Get $100 worth of Restaurant.com gift card credit for $18
While the past year probably helped advance your culinary skills immeasurably… you're thinking what we're thinking, right? With vaccinations rising and restrictions loosening, it's time to get back out there and enjoy restaurants again. From big chains to local eateries, we all know they haven't been doing all that great lately. But with this offer… READ THE REST
The Google Pixel 4 XL has one of the best cameras around — and you can get it for under $300
Everybody has their main reason for wanting and needing a smartphone. For some, it's communication. For others, it's about web access anywhere and everywhere. And there are even those who literally couldn't get from Point A to Point B without a computer brain charting the course. Another key group of smartphone users is the chroniclers,… READ THE REST
This bladeless fan delivers smooth airflow that's as cool as the fan itself
In your eternal search to cool up your home — both figuratively and literally — a bladeless fan might be a great investment as the summer months start rolling into view. For efficiency, new power-saving bladeless fans help cool a space without being forced to pay the cost of using the air conditioner to chill out… READ THE REST