From Senator Ron Wyden: Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced the Secure Data Act to protect Americans’ privacy and data security. The bill prohibits government mandates to build backdoors or security vulnerabilities into U.S. software and electronics. U.S. government officials have recently proposed to compel companies to build backdoors in the security…
Category: Govt
EPIC Pursues Information About “Hemisphere,” Massive Phone Record Database
From EPIC.org: EPIC has filed a motion for summary judgment in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration. More than a year ago, EPIC sought documents from the agency concerning “Hemisphere,” a massive AT&T call records database available to government agents. EPIC asked for the legal basis and privacy impact of the program. After the agency failed to respond…
The NYPD Refuses to Release Its Drone Documents, So I’m Suing
Shawn Musgrave writes: In the last two years, two New York City police commissioners have frankly discussed the department’s research into unmanned vehicles, confirming that the NYPD is indeed interested in the use of drones in law enforcement. But the department’s transparency office has determined, in response to three separate MuckRock requests, that any documentation regarding the NYPD’s…
Feds balk at releasing IRS/White House shared tax documents
Of course they do. Paul Bedard reports: Less than a week after ’fessing up that it found some 2,500 documents potentially showing that the IRS shared taxpayer returns with the White House, the Obama administration has reversed course and won’t release the trove to a group suing for access. In an abrupt decision, the Treasury…