Koch Group Must Disclose Donors to State Officials, Court Rules
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Americans for Prosperity Foundation must disclose its largest givers to authorities in the state of California.
How Many Times Has the Government Spied on You Today?
The technology of surveillance has outpaced the law and oversight. How far will it go? And what can we do about it?
The Future of Privacy
What is the individual’s right to privacy and how much should be sacrificed in the name of “security?” Edward Snowden, Noam Chomsky, and Glenn Greenwald discuss these and other questions.
Snowden on Apple Case: Security for All or Security for None
In a wide-ranging interview, Edward Snowden talks about the Apple vs. FBI encryption lawsuit, why he has not endorsed a presidential candidate and how a member of the WhoWhatWhy Editorial Advisory Council changed his views on what it would take to return to the US.
Comey Calls Decryption Debate ‘The Hardest Question in Government’
Sounding a somewhat conciliatory note, FBI Director James Comey said the key to resolving the encryption debate would be negotiations involving all stakeholders.
Encryption Battle Over Privacy And National Security Escalates: Video Series Part 3
The leaked Snowden files revealed the scope of the NSA’s mass surveillance of Americans. Since then, tech companies have boosted encrypted protection. A court order issued this week to Apple constitutes the biggest test to date over whether to permit government-mandated backdoors to encrypted devices.
Why Encryption Backdoors Don’t Work : Video Series Part 2
Loud voices are calling for US tech companies to install “backdoors” to encryption software. They would allow law enforcement to access information. But is that feasible — and would it stop terrorism?
Online Privacy Video Festival, Part 1
Soon, critical decisions will be taken about how best to monitor bad guys — while not intruding into the online lives of the rest of us. Here’s a primer on what it is all about. It’s a chance to learn and to weigh in — while there’s still time.
China and the US: Big Brothers-In-Law?
“Big Brother” is getting even bigger in China. In a development that the author of “1984” would surely have appreciated, China recently passed an “anti-terrorism law” that seems an excuse for a clampdown. It also eerily mirrors calls by US officials for access to encrypted communications.
How Much Privacy Are You Willing To Give Up?
You know you give up privacy on Facebook. But what about when you go to the doctor, make a phone call, open a bank account or shop for groceries? Felicia King tells WhoWhatWhy’s Jeff Schechtman why everything short of using cash and an old passport for ID could be leaving yourself open to having your privacy invaded.
The FBI Wants YOUR Face and Fingerprints
The FBI will be developing software to enable its agents to collect fingerprints and pictures of anyone they encounter. This personal material could then be compared to the Bureau’s massive biometrics database. What could possibly go wrong with this?
Want Online Privacy? Here’s How (Hint: Don’t Google!)
Is there anything you can still do on your computer without Facebook or Google or the NSA looking over your shoulder?
Thought Police are Watching, Listening, Touching, and Sniffing—So Don’t Even Think About it
In his essay in this new collection, a law professor warns about the creep of the security state, from catching criminals to trying to anticipate who might commit a crime.
Judge Rules That ‘Orwellian’ NSA Data-Mining Is Unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled Monday that the government’s bulk collection of phone data probably violates the Constitution. His 68-page ruling has withering words about the NSA, calling the data collection “Orwellian.” You can read his full ruling here.
Humor – Obama on NSA Spying
Just for fun…..
We Want to Hear You Say It
Who says nobody listens to you?
“Civil Libertarian” Obama’s Options on Surveillance
If, as his supporters contend, Obama is a good, caring man whose instincts are right, why has he not taken any of these modest steps to rein in surveillance excesses? A checklist of options.
Why Obama Cannot Undo the Surveillance Society—But We Can
When a country is truly run by a handful, how can they ever let up on surveillance? They can’t, and won’t. But we can make them do it. However, not if we wait for instructions from the establishment.
WHYTV — Russ on NSA Surveillance
RT Television interviews WhoWhatWhy editor-in-chief about breaking news on NSA internet surveillance.
TVWHY: Russ Goes Deeper on Gov’t Monitoring of Associated Press
Everyone’s upset about the Obama-AP phone records scandal. Here’s WhoWhatWhy’s Russ Baker explaining to RT Television that things may run deeper.