Appeals Court Rules that NSA Collection Of Phone Data Is Illegal

A federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that the National Security Agency’s routine mass collection of Americans’ phone records and metadata is unlawful. The three judges ruled that the NSA’s use of phone records “exceeds the scope of what Congress has authorized” under the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was initially intended as a counterterrorism …

Apple, Google, other Tech companies ask Senate to pass NSA anti surveilance bill before Republican majority takes control

Apple, Google, and several other Internet and technology companies are in a race against the clock to get the Senate to approve a bill that will end the NSA’s bulk data collection programs. Known as the USA Freedom Act, S. 2685, the bill aims to stop the government’s collection and storage of the electronic communications …

The Obama Administration Must Act Fast to Prevent the Internet’s Fragmentation

Here in Sydney, Australia, where I’m attending a conference of CFR’s Council of Councils—a global network of prominent think tanks—a dialogue about the future of Internet governance has highlighted brewing controversy about the management of cyberspace. The conversation has convinced me that the Obama administration has a closing window of opportunity to safeguard international support …

Why the NSA has landed us all in another nice mess

LONDON – Fans of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will fondly remember Oliver’s complaint to Stanley: “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” In a future remake, Hardy will be played by Barack Obama, suitably enhanced with a toothbrush moustache, while Keith Alexander, currently head of the U.S. National Security Agency, will star …

The NSA and the End of the U.S. Empire

In this column, Johan Galtung, director of the TRANSCEND Peace University and author of 50 Years – 100 Peace and Conflict Perspectives (www.transcend.org/tup), writes about the U.S. empire’s spying, and other debacles. WASHINGTON, Nov 14 2013 (Columnist Service) – The linchpin of an empire is the link between two elites, one in the imperial centre, …

Brazil seeks India for global summit to discuss U.S. surveillance

Multistakeholder participation, processes and agenda await clarity Global outrage against recent revelations of mass surveillance by the U.S. government, which sparked discussions for a review of global surveillance guidelines, has led the Brazilian government to reach out to the Indian government for support for its proposal to host a one-off global summit, scheduled for early …

“Coalition of the Willing” website launches! Who is behind it?

A website www.1net.org “Coalition of the Willing” website launches. This comes at a time when internet governance discussions are increasing, and also when internet privacy is being viewed as vulnerable especially following the NSA PRISM exposure. The website just launched but who is behind this new formation? Here is a post on the website: /1net …

Surveillance a major concern at conclusion of UN-backed Bali IGF forum

While reaffirming the need to strengthen the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance, the United Nations-backed forum on the issue, known as the IGF, concluded today in Bali, Indonesia with an acknowledgement that surveillance is the major emerging issue of the year. Over four days, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), set up to support Secretary-General Ban …

Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Skype & Yahoo Hit With Prism Data Protection Complaints In Europe

The European data protection activists behind the Europe v Facebook (evf) campaign group, that has long been a thorn in Facebook’s side in Europe, have filed new complaints under regional data protection law targeting Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Skype and Yahoo for their alleged collaboration with the NSA’s Prism data collection program. The student activist organisation is targeting the …

The Secret War: Infiltration, Sabotage, Devastating Cyber Attacks

nside Fort Meade, Maryland, a top-secret city bustles. Tens of thousands of people move through more than 50 buildings—the city has its own post office, fire department, and police force. But as if designed by Kafka, it sits among a forest of trees, surrounded by electrified fences and heavily armed guards, protected by antitank barriers, …