MIT in Aaron Swartz Case: Not Neutral, Not Leading, Not Standing Up for Technologists
In January, our friend Aaron Swartz killed himself. Aaron was unable to carry on against an overzealous government prosecution enforcing a grossly unfair and outdated law. We, and millions of others around the world, were saddened beyond words. Aaron was prosecuted for using legendary academic institution Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s open network to download articles from JSTOR, the digital library that sells scholarly articles, largely funded by public tax dollars, back to the public at something like $5-12 per article. Academic institutions like MIT, however, don’t pay for each article but instead pay subscription fees that give access to everyone within their communities, including visitors like Aaron.
The NSA can reportedly see “nearly everything” you do online: New details emerge
A report in the Guardian today has revealed that NSA training materials openly said that the XKeyscore system, which it says formed a significant part of its PRISM surveillance activities disclosed by Edward Snowden last month, collected massive amounts of data, including the contents and the metadata of emails and chats.
MIT Releases Its Report on Aaron Swartz Prosecution
A long-awaited independent report on MIT’s role in the federal prosecution of Aaron Swartz concludes that the institution behaved neutrally throughout the affair, but “did not duly take into account the wider background of information policy against which the prosecution played out and in which MIT people have traditionally been passionate leaders.”
Huge Global Coalition Stands Against Unchecked Surveillance
100+ Organizations Sign Thirteen Principles to Protect Human Rights
San Francisco – More than 100 organizations from across the globe – including Privacy International, Access, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – are taking a stand against unchecked communications surveillance, calling for the governments around the world to follow international human rights law and curtail pervasive spying.
Manning court-martial: sentencing phase continues, with government witnesses
My copy of Bradley Manning‘s charge sheet, handed to me by an Army public affairs officer as I was escorted into Judge Lind’s courtroom to hear the verdict on July 30, 2013. Photo: Xeni Jardin.
MIT report on Aaron Swartz’s prosecution is out, and it’s a “whitewash”
MIT’s report on its involvement in the prosecution of Aaron Swartz (PDF) has been published. The report does not apportion any blame to the university for Swartz’s prosecution, stating the the university operated as a “neutral party.”
Bitcoins Are for Nerds. It’s Time to Invest in Dysprosium
Hoarding gold is for libertarians. Bitcoin mining is for nerds. Really adventurous investors?especially fans of the stranger stretches of the periodic table?ought to consider stockpiling something more intense, like industrially valuable exotic elements.
Why Bloggers Should Learn HTML and CSS
You don’t have to be a web designer, web developer, or programmer to blog thanks to easy to use blogging applications like WordPress and Blogger, but learning some skills that.
Facebook Tops 127 Of 137 Countries In June 2013 World Map Of Social Networks
Facebook was the dominant social network in 127 of the 137 countries analyzed in the June 2013 edition of the World Map of Social Networks, from Vincos Blog.
The Future of Graphics and Gaming
See the best new ideas in computer graphics and interaction from last week’s Siggraph conference.
Bradley Manning Faced Harsher Prosecution Merely Because His Leaks Involved a Computer
We wrote yesterday about the dangerous “hacker madness” strategy used by the prosecution in the Bradley Manning trial, a tried-and-true tactic that attempts to scare judges into sustaining convictions based on a defendant’s knowledge of computers. However, another interesting fact of the Manning trial is being overlooked by the media: this is the first time we know of where the government has sustained a conviction under a controversial section of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) known as (a)(1).
MIT report after Aaron Swartz’s suicide clears MIT of any wrongdoing
Aaron Swartz. Photo: Reuters.
Buffeted by New Disclosures, NSA Chief Defends Surveillance Programs at Black Hat
Amid new revelations today about another expansive NSA surveillance program, agency chief Gen. Keith Alexander appeared before an audience of security professionals to defend his bulk collection of phone records and other data.
NSA capo heckled at Black Hat conference
Noted perjuror and NSA Director Keith Alexander appeared onstage at the Black Hat security conference today, where he was heckled by audience members, notably a 30-year-old security consultant named Jon McCoy, who shouted things like “Freedom!” and “Bullshit!” and then got into some more substantive points.
Russia and US ‘discussing Snowden’
The American FBI and Russian FSB security services are “in talks” over US fugitive Edward Snowden, Russian officials say.
The (un)freedom of the networked
The web has a dual nature – it promotes some freedoms and endangers many others. Making the most of it will mean fighting for it (from the archive, 2008)
Chauvinism on social media
Operating a spoof Twitter account during BBC Question Time gave me a glimpse of the level of misogyny that women in politics face on social media every day.
Sony makes profit
Just $35m, but its strategy of going back to high-end, high-margin gear seems to be working: expect more fancy Android phones, RX-series cameras, and 4K televisions. [The Verge]
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Cyberculture roundup: Dropbox moves forward.. News from Edward Snowden, Bradley Manning and Aaron Swartz cases…
A roundup: “Aaron Swartz didn’t face prison until Feds jumped on case…
Anonymous hacks MIT in tribute to Aaron Swartz #PDFtribute
Cyberculture roundup: “MIT blocking release of Aaron Swartz’s Secret Service files…
Internet loses a real hero. Dear Aaron Swartz, rest in peace… #PDFtribute
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