Bruce Schneier: "At SXSW earlier this month, CEO Eric Schmidt tried to reassure the audience by saying that he was 'pretty sure that information within Google is now safe from any government's prying eyes.' A more accurate statement might be, 'Your data is safe from governments, except for the ways we don't know about and the ways we cannot tell you about. And, of course, we still have complete access to it all, and can sell it at will to whomever we want.'"
Eric Schmidt on the NSA* (*translated from original bullshitese)
Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons had app users under constant surveillance
The app put out by Tim Hortons turned out to be constantly recording movements, illegally collecting "vast amounts of location data" without users' knowledge or consent. "The app also used location data to infer where users lived, where they worked, and whether they were traveling," the Office of the Privacy Commissioner said. "It generated an… READ THE REST
ShotSpotter "wastes millions of taxpayer dollars" and doesn't even work, say critics
ShotSpotter is a service that installs microphones around town and "spots" gunshots, but is frequently criticized for its reliability and price. One study found it offers "no reductions in serious violent crimes, yet … increases demands on police resources". The problems with it are both systematic (the mics confirm the biases that went into the… READ THE REST
Gentleman robs company that specializes in security cameras
A gentleman in South Nashville cut a fence and broke into the headquarters of Pro Systems, a company that specializes in security cameras. The thief absconded with $20,000 worth of goods. Unsurprisingly, police quickly apprehended the man who was easily identified on surveillance footage. According to WKRN, "Pro Systems was able to recover most of… READ THE REST
Get this near-mint condition Dell laptop for under $350 this July 4th
There's nothing worse than working away on your trusty laptop only to realize its end may be near. Between its last few glitching episodes, slow loading time, and used-up storage space, the time for a new laptop has come, but with all your recent expenses and rising prices across the board, your budget may not exactly be able… READ THE REST
Save over $160 off a small projector which packs a big punch
Let's be honest. Few things are as eye-catching as watching an image projected on a wide screen. A good projector can liven up a backyard party, make movie night more fun, or even act as a great television replacement. Additionally, projectors can transform a dull, blank wall into a work of art. The only unfortunate thing about a… READ THE REST
Save 20% this 4th of July on a roto-molder cooler for your outdoor activities
Plan on spending the day outside? Whether you're at the pool, beach, lakefront, camping, or in your backyard, you'll need a reliable cooler to keep your water and other essential beverages nice and cold. However, not just any cooler will do. You need something durable, heavy-duty, and insulated to ensure everything from water and beer to… READ THE REST
