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Surveillance by the US Postal Service

Schneier on Security

This is not about mass surveillance of mail , this is about sorts of targeted surveillance the US Postal Inspection Service uses to catch mail thieves : To track down an alleged mail thief, a US postal inspector used license plate reader technology, GPS data collected by a rental car company, and, most damning of all, hid a camera inside one of the (..)

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Privacy vs. Surveillance in the Age of COVID-19

Schneier on Security

The trade-offs are changing : As countries around the world race to contain the pandemic, many are deploying digital surveillance tools as a means to exert social control, even turning security agency technologies on their own civilians. I worry that in our haste and fear, we will fail to do any of that. More from EFF.

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On Surveillance in the Workplace

Schneier on Security

Gamification and algorithmic management of work activities through continuous data collection. In a blog post about this report, Cory Doctorow mentioned "the adoption curve for oppressive technology, which goes, 'refugee, immigrant, prisoner, mental patient, children, welfare recipient, blue collar worker, white collar worker.'"

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Google Is Using Its Vast Data Stores to Train AI

Schneier on Security

No surprise, but Google just changed its privacy policy to reflect broader uses of all the surveillance data it has captured over the years: Research and development : Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public.

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US Federal Judge Upholds Automakers' Right to Record Texts, Call Logs

SecureWorld News

The automakers argued that their practice was necessary to provide certain features and services, such as hands-free calling and texting, and that customers had consented to the data collection by agreeing to the terms of service when they purchased their vehicles. states specific to a private right of action that allows class actions.

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On Chinese "Spy Trains"

Schneier on Security

Meanwhile, the chairman of China's technology giant Huawei has pointed to NSA spying disclosed by Edward Snowden as a reason to mistrust US technology companies. Even so, these examples illustrate an important point: there's no escaping the technology of inevitable surveillance.

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LLM Summary of My Book Beyond Fear

Schneier on Security

Where possible, favor openness and transparency over aggressive data collection or restrictions which erode civil liberties. Seek security policies and technologies that enhance society broadly rather than benefit special interests. Surveillance creep risks violating autonomy. Focus only on proportional responses.