A group of computer scientists at the University of Washington has developed a way to make electronic messages “self destruct” after a certain period of time, like messages in sand lost to the surf. The researchers said they think the new software, called Vanish, which requires encrypting messages, will be needed more and more as…
Man awarded $7.3 million in defamation lawsuit
A man who said he was repeatedly harassed by a Leawood housewife was awarded $7.3 million in a lawsuit judgment Tuesday. The lawsuit was filed by Lewis Heacker, 23, in 2007. He sued Jessica Wright, 48, of Leawood, Kan. In the lawsuit Heacker said he had babysat for Wright since he was 13, but the…
Oral arguments in FISA Amendments Act lawsuit
The American Civil Liberties Union was in court today for oral arguments in its landmark challenge to the unconstitutional FISA Amendments Act (FAA), which gives the government virtually unchecked power to intercept Americans’ international e-mails and telephone calls. The ACLU filed a lawsuit to stop the government from spying under the FAA less than an…
Russian postal workers to let police open mail
The Russian government has issued an order telling postal workers that police and security agents have a right to open mail, causing alarm among rights advocates who fear a return to the Soviet-era tactics of the KGB. The Communications Ministry said the order, which went into effect Tuesday, does not expand the powers of investigators,…