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Showing posts from July, 2019

EFF: EFF at Vegas Security Week

EFF at Vegas Security Week EFF is back this year at Vegas Security Week, sometimes affectionately known as Hacker Summer Camp. Stop by our booths at BSides, Black Hat, and DEF CON to find out about the latest developments in protecting digital freedom, sign up for our action alerts and mailing list , and donate to become an EFF member. We'll also have our limited-edition DEF CON 27 shirts available. These shirts have a puzzle incorporated into the design—try your hand at cracking it! BSides Las Vegas 2019 August 6-7, 2019, Tuscany Suites and Casino Booth Location: Chillout Room Black Hat Briefings USA 2019 August 7-8, 2019, Mandalay Bay Booth Location: Business Hall DEF CON 27 August 8-11, 2019, Paris, Bally's, and Planet Hollywood Casinos Booth Location: Vendor Hall As in past years, EFF staff attorneys will be present to help support the community. If you have legal concerns regarding an upcoming talk or sensitive InfoSec research that you are conducting at an

EFF: Google’s Plans for Chrome Extensions Won’t Really Help Security

Google’s Plans for Chrome Extensions Won’t Really Help Security Note: Sam Jadali, the author of the DataSpii report referenced in this blog post, is an EFF Coders’ Rights client. However, the information about DataSpii in this post is based entirely on public reports. Last week we learned about DataSpii , a report by independent researcher Sam Jadali about the “catastrophic data leak” wrought by a collection of browser extensions that surreptitiously extracted their users’ browsing history (and in some cases portions of visited web pages). Over four million users may have had sensitive information leaked to data brokers, including tax returns, travel itineraries, medical records, and corporate secrets. While DataSpii included extensions in both the Chrome and Firefox extension marketplaces, the majority of those affected used Chrome. Naturally, this led reporters to ask Google for comment. In response to questions about DataSpii from Ars Technica , Google officials pointed out

EFF: The T-Mobile and Sprint Merger Is Blatantly Anticompetitive

The T-Mobile and Sprint Merger Is Blatantly Anticompetitive There is no saving grace for the federal government approving what is on its face an illegal horizontal merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. The wireless market is already highly concentrated according to the Department of Justice’s own guidelines, and this merger only exacerbates the problem. Mergers that bring extreme levels of concentration are supposed to be blocked. No supposed benefit to consumers is actually waiting on this merger, including any and all claims about 5G. Here's what this merger really means: people will have fewer choices for wireless services, at higher prices, while innovation suffers. It was not that long ago when the DOJ said that mergers that shrunk a highly concentrated market from four competitors into three competitors “significantly harmed” consumers per their own antitrust guidelines . What could possibly be different about this merger? Ignoring Its Own Guidelines To approve this dea

EFF: DOJ and FBI Show No Signs of Correcting Past Untruths in Their New Attacks on Encryption

DOJ and FBI Show No Signs of Correcting Past Untruths in Their New Attacks on Encryption Last week, Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray chose to spend some of their time giving speeches demonizing encryption and calling for the creation of backdoors to allow the government access to encrypted data. You should not spend any of your time listening to them.  Don’t be mistaken; the threat to encryption remains high . Australia and the United Kingdom already have laws in place that can enable those governments to undermine encryption, while other countries may follow. And it’s definitely dangerous when senior U.S. law enforcement officials talk about encryption the way Barr and Wray did. The reason to ignore these speeches is that DOJ and FBI have not proven themselves credible on this issue. Instead, they have a long track record of exaggeration and even false statements in support of their position. That should be a bar to convincing anyone—especially C

EFF: Building Community in Brooklyn: A Grassroots Case Study

Building Community in Brooklyn: A Grassroots Case Study Grassroots-level organizing has long been an important tool for advancing policy goals and activating a constituency. More importantly, local organizing can provide an avenue through which the skills and knowledge of some are leveraged to support the previously-unmet needs of the wider community.  As a member of the Electronic Frontier Alliance —a network of independent local advocacy groups in the U.S.— The Cypurr Collective is offering down-to-earth tech guidance to their neighbors in Brooklyn, New York, and holding space for greater digital rights and privacy awareness. Cypurr utilizes such engagement methods as tea socials, digital security workshops, and cross-issue allyship, which enables the group to speak on local organizing from a people-focused perspective. We asked group members Grey Cohen, Rory Mir, and Sam DiBella to share a bit of what they’ve learned in their quest for digital equality. How did Cypurr ori

EFF: Someone Is Suing Companies for Using SMS Messages in 2019

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Someone Is Suing Companies for Using SMS Messages in 2019 Anuwave’s Suit Against Coinbase Demonstrates a Longstanding Flaw in the Patent System This month’s Stupid Patent of the Month deals with SMS (short messaging service) , a technology that goes back to the mid-1980s. Modern-day SMS messages, typically bundled with mobile phone services, have been around since 1992, but one company believes that you should have to pay a licensing fee simply to incorporate them into your app or service. That company is Anuwave, which recently sued cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (PDF) for infringement of US Patent 8,295,862 . That’s only the most recent suit: Anuwave has sued dozens of companies since 2015 for alleged infringement of the patent—Symantec, Avast, and Bitdefender, just to name a few that have faced lawsuits. Anuwave’s patent is on a software application using SMS to check for information—for example, for use on a device that can send and receive SMS messages, but doesn’t have

EFF: Equifax Settlement Won’t be Enough to Deter Future Breaches: The Law Must Catch Up

Equifax Settlement Won’t be Enough to Deter Future Breaches: The Law Must Catch Up Last week, news broke of a large financial settlement for the massive 2017 Equifax data breach affecting 147 million Americans.  While the direct compensation to those harmed and the fines paid are important, it’s equally important to evaluate how much this result is likely to create strong incentives to increase data security for both Equifax and the other companies that are closely watching.  We doubt it will do enough.  Without stronger privacy legislation, the lawyers and regulators trying to respond to these data leaks are operating with one hand tied behind their back.    In the meantime, EFF strongly urges everyone impacted by the calamitous Equifax breach to participate in the settlement claims process . Equifax must pay for the harm they have caused to everyone. And all too often, the fact that too few people make claims in these consumer privacy cases is used in the next case to argue th

EFF: Congress Is Home For the Summer and Ready to Hear From You

Congress Is Home For the Summer and Ready to Hear From You When it comes to politics, in-person meetings make a huge difference. Just a few questions from constituents during town halls can show a representative or senator which issues are resonating with the residents of their district or state. Even if you’ve never met an elected representative before, showing up IRL is actually pretty easy to do, and this is the perfect time: in August, Congress takes a break from considering legislation so members can be in their districts, giving you the opportunity to meet and talk to them without traveling to Washington, D.C. While in D.C., representatives and senators have to rely on calls and emails to know what the people they represent think about the issues. Those calls and emails are important, but when they’re back in their districts, you can make sure they hear directly from you—in person—about the issues that matter to you. Even if you have called or emailed before, putting a face

EFF: Thanks for Fighting for a Better Digital Future

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Thanks for Fighting for a Better Digital Future We at EFF are deeply grateful to each one of the 2,076 people who gave a donation during our Better Digital Future membership drive. They join the over 30,000 supporters around the world who have answered our call to reclaim the fate of the Internet. Your help allows us to develop free privacy-enhancing technologies , advocate for consumers in the courts , defend free expression online , and so much more. On each anniversary of EFF's founding , we renew our commitment to fight for the rights of ordinary folks as technology becomes an ever more present part of life. We don't need to abide by tech that exploits and surveils us because this weird and beautiful Internet still has the power to uplift free expression and privacy, rather than serve as a tool of control. A better digital future is necessary and— with your help —it's possible. The membership drive may be over, but we still need you! Online freedom waits for no o

Ghana spends over $1 billion on electricity subsidies?

… over $ 1 billion on electricity subsidies. According to a close … Consortium took over the previous Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) … 2019 Subsidizing the cost of electricity in Ghana is a political … to reduce the cost of electricity but then realize soon it … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2LJiNA7 Visit Toronto Wiring

Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

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Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

With EIN Presswire press release distribution services you will reach decision makers and journalists plus get valuable SEO benefits. from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2OhZjEv Visit Toronto Wiring

SUNation Solar Systems Featured on 2019 Top Solar Contractors List

The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors list includes Ronkonkoma based solar firm RONKONKOMA, NY, UNITED STATES, July 26, 2019 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ — With renewable energy expected to be the fastest growing source of U.S. electricity … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2LGRLJq Visit Toronto Wiring

Producer electricity prices climb 30% in June as winter tariffs kick in

… SA, the index for electricity always spikes in June, … recorded in 2012. Conversely, electricity prices for producers generally dips … , when the index for electricity dropped by 32.92%. … Despite the increase in electricity prices for producers, headline … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2GrIUXZ Visit Toronto Wiring

Mnangagwa Speaks On Electricity Crisis

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Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan suggests city fleet turn to electricity by 2030

Saskatoon streets could get a lot quieter if the city goes electric with all of its vehicles by 2030, one of the action plans set forth in the just released The Low Emissions Community (LEC) Plan. The LEC Plan is a 30-year road map to help Saskatoon reduce … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2MjQbwS Visit Toronto Wiring

NEMSA bans direct electricity supply from 33kV feeders

… ABUJA: The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA … wastage, and distort electricity flow. “The transformer … derogation from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) … between consumers and electricity suppliers and short lifespan … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2ZebROq Visit Toronto Wiring

ED appoints task-force for electricity crisis

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Azerbaijan increases electricity exports

… kilowatt / hour of electricity In January-June 2019, … Azerbaijan. The cost of electricity exported during the mentioned period … . The main producer of electricity in Azerbaijan is Azerenergy. … billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. — Follow us … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2yb227R Visit Toronto Wiring

Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

With EIN Presswire press release distribution services you will reach decision makers and journalists plus get valuable SEO benefits. from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2JR1kTU Visit Toronto Wiring

Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

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Suit on poor electricity in S-East: Court rejects EEDC’s plea for change of judge

… a petition by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, … and arbitrary disconnection of electricity consumers in all parts … EEDC without regard to electricity regulatory laws guiding … the operations of electricity distribution companies, DISCOs, … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2MdK3pG Visit Toronto Wiring

Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

With EIN Presswire press release distribution services you will reach decision makers and journalists plus get valuable SEO benefits. from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2JR1kTU Visit Toronto Wiring

Contact Energy Posts June Contracted Wholesale Electricity Sales Of 834 GWH

… Ltd ::JUNE CONTRACTED WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY SALES, INCLUDING THAT … GWH.JUNE WHOLESALE BUSINESS ELECTRICITY GENERATED (OR ACQUIRED) … BUSINESS RECORDED MASS MARKET ELECTRICITY AND GAS SALES … AGO.APRIL CONTRACTED WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY SALES, INCLUDING SALES TO … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2YoG3Fu Visit Toronto Wiring

Alberta government shelves NDP’s electricity plan

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Russia’s Inter RAO H1 Electricity Output 65.95 Bln kWh, Up 3.6% Y/Y

March 27 (Reuters) – Frontier IP Group PLC ::HY TOTAL REVENUE INCREASED 83 PERCENT TO £2.2 MILLION.HY PROFIT BEFORE TAX INCREASED 138 PERCENT TO £1.3 MILLION.  Full Article Repeats with no changes to text:THIRD PORTUGUESE SPIN OUT: INSIGNALS NEUROTECH. … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2JQnm9n Visit Toronto Wiring

Ransomware attack leaves Joburg residents unable to buy electricity

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Active Electricity Pole in Dangerous Position

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Government kills planned changes to Alberta’s electricity market

… that oversees Alberta’s electricity market, announcing late Wednesday … they will provide enough electricity for the grid. Savage … noted “the Alberta wholesale electricity market is not attractive … need to bring on additional electricity generation,” she said. … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2JQykvu Visit Toronto Wiring

Global Organic Molasses Market Share, Supply, Analysis and Forecast to 2024

WiseGuyReports have announced the addition of a new report titled “2019 Global and Regional Organic Molasses Market Research Report Forecast 2025”. PUNE , MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, July 24, 2019 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ — Report Overview The latest … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2Yh5ecE Visit Toronto Wiring

Second power outage hits Glendale, leaving 11,000 customers without electricity amid heat wave

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Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

With EIN Presswire press release distribution services you will reach decision makers and journalists plus get valuable SEO benefits. from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2SDGtpX Visit Toronto Wiring

Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.

With EIN Presswire press release distribution services you will reach decision makers and journalists plus get valuable SEO benefits. from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/2SDGtpX Visit Toronto Wiring

Nigeria Signs Deal with Siemens to Improve Electricity Supply

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New electricity deal in focus as blackout persists

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Mnangagwa Hires 8 Ministers To Help Fix Electricity Problems | WILL IT WORK?

… help fix the country’s electricity problems. Mnangagwa has set up … battling shortages of energy and electricity , a situation largely blamed on … currently in South Africa for electricity supply negotiations with Eskom. “The … from Electric Power News https://ift.tt/30WTMF3 Visit Toronto Wiring

EFF: Thank Q, Next

Thank Q, Next In its next release, Android plans to up its privacy game. But the operating system still caters to ad trackers at its users’ expense. The newest release of Android, dubbed “Q,” is currently in late-stage beta testing and slated for a full release this summer. After a year defined by new privacy protections around the world and major privacy failures by Big Tech , this year, Google is trying to convince users that it is serious about “ protecting their information .” The word “privacy” was mentioned 22 times during the 2019 Google I/O keynote . Keeping up that trend, Google has made—and marketed— a number of privacy-positive changes to Android for version Q. Many of the changes in Q are significant improvements for user privacy, from giving users more granular control over location data to randomizing MAC addresses when connecting to WiFi networks by default. However, in at least one area, Q’s improvements are undermined by Android’s continued support

EFF: Thank Q, Next

Thank Q, Next In its next release, Android plans to up its privacy game. But the operating system still caters to ad trackers at its users’ expense. The newest release of Android, dubbed “Q,” is currently in late-stage beta testing and slated for a full release this summer. After a year defined by new privacy protections around the world and major privacy failures by Big Tech , this year, Google is trying to convince users that it is serious about “ protecting their information .” The word “privacy” was mentioned 22 times during the 2019 Google I/O keynote . Keeping up that trend, Google has made—and marketed— a number of privacy-positive changes to Android for version Q. Many of the changes in Q are significant improvements for user privacy, from giving users more granular control over location data to randomizing MAC addresses when connecting to WiFi networks by default. However, in at least one area, Q’s improvements are undermined by Android’s continued support