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Tag: Information sharing

Access Now denounces passage of “cyber surveillance” bill in omnibus

18 Dec 2015

Congress today passed a cyber surveillance bill

Press Release
Access Now denounces passage of “cyber surveillance” bill in omnibus
18 Dec 2015
Access Now denounces passage of “cyber surveillance” bill in omnibus
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Episode III: Revenge of the CISPA

9 Jan 2015

Today, Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) re-introduced the Cyber Information Sharing and Protection Act (“CISPA”), a bill that has passed the House of Representatives twice previously, both in 2011 and 2013, and subsequently also twice faced a veto threat from the Administration. We once again urge Congress to reject CISPA. Instead, Congress should pass the Secure Data Act. Unlike CIPSA, it would actually protect user privacy and increase data security.

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Episode III: Revenge of the CISPA
9 Jan 2015
Episode III: Revenge of the CISPA
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Sony Pictures hack shows weak security but no reason to violate privacy, start a war

23 Dec 2014

Sony Pictures Entertainment was recently pwned by a group calling themselves the Guardians of Peace, ostensibly acting under the guidance of the North Korean government (though this is subject to debate). It was bad that the hackers took advantage of a culture of bad cybersecurity practice at Sony. Thanks to a bevy of embarrassing cybersecurity practices, worse cybersecurity discourse, and a growing culture of fear in Washington (and around the world), there is little doubt that this incident will be spun to support poorly-drafted laws that infringe upon user rights and do nothing to increase security. We shouldn’t, and we don’t, have to sacrifice privacy to achieve better network security. The U.S. Congress needs to reject any legislation that would attack our privacy, such as an invasive information sharing regime.

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Sony Pictures hack shows weak security but no reason to violate privacy, start a war
23 Dec 2014
Sony Pictures hack shows weak security but no reason to violate privacy, start a war
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At final hour, Congress passes reasonable cybersecurity legislation

12 Dec 2014

In spite of a feeble legislative term, including the particularly devastating failure of surveillance reform, the 113th U.S. Congress pushed through four positive last-minute cybersecurity bills over the past two days. President Obama is soon expected to sign these bills into law. The new cyber measures increase government transparency and Congressional oversight of federal cybersecurity efforts, while expanding coordination between civilian agencies. Access supports the efforts of Congress to pass cybersecurity legislation and hopes the momentum will lead to more significant legislation for the 114th Congress.

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At final hour, Congress passes reasonable cybersecurity legislation
12 Dec 2014
At final hour, Congress passes reasonable cybersecurity legislation
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Dear Congress: Ignore distractions and pass USA FREEDOM

31 Oct 2014

With limited time left in the legislative calendar for this Congress, it is time for an assessment of priorities. To start, we need to reign in the NSA’s privacy-violating surveillance programs. The USA FREEDOM Act would limit, instead of expand, the government’s intake of user information. It should be a priority for the outgoing Congress. And yet, priorities seems to be elsewhere.

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Dear Congress: Ignore distractions and pass USA FREEDOM
31 Oct 2014
Dear Congress: Ignore distractions and pass USA FREEDOM

Access launches MLAT.info

4 Sep 2014

Access launched www.mlat.info, a website that makes it easy to explore the text and geographical scope of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).

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Access launches MLAT.info
4 Sep 2014
Access launches MLAT.info

New information and more questions on US global surveillance after Congressional oversight hearings

19 Jun 2013

Representatives of top U.S. intelligence agencies testified before the House Intelligence Committee in a public oversight hearing. While the hearing largely served to allow officials to legitimate the recently-revealed massive US surveillance programs, a few representatives pushed back, granting the public important new information on these programs.

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New information and more questions on US global surveillance after Congressional oversight hearings
19 Jun 2013
New information and more questions on US global surveillance after Congressional oversight hearings

White House — and 14 year olds — reject CISPA

17 Apr 2013

The White House issued a veto threat to congress, saying if CISPA doesn’t include privacy safeguards and civilian oversight, President Obama won’t sign the bill.

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White House — and 14 year olds — reject CISPA
17 Apr 2013
White House — and 14 year olds — reject CISPA