#bulk-collection
#bulk-collection

17 hours ago

Your Former Employer Is Selling Your Slacks and Emails to Train AI

Founders of defunct startups are monetizing their digital remains, such as Slack messages and emails, through a growing ecosystem of buyers and middlemen.

17 hours ago

Met investigates hundreds of officers after using Palantir AI tool

The Metropolitan police are investigating hundreds of officers using AI to uncover misconduct, resulting in arrests for serious offenses including corruption and sexual assault.

#fisa

Right-wing politics

Mike Johnson's Surveillance Push Has a Thomas Massie Problem

Right-wing politics

On Mass Surveillance, Will the Deep State Win Again?

SF politics

Congress can finally close a mass surveillance loophole - but will they?

Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance, faces potential reform as it is set to expire, amid bipartisan concerns over its misuse.

House extends surveillance powers for 10 days

The House voted to extend a controversial surveillance program, FISA 702, until April 30 amid ongoing debates about privacy and national security.

With US spy laws set to expire, lawmakers are split over protecting Americans from warrantless surveillance | TechCrunch

Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance, is set to expire, with lawmakers divided on extending it without reforms.

Why Congress is fighting over a central tool of American surveillance

Section 702 of FISA is crucial for U.S. intelligence but raises concerns about privacy violations of American citizens.

Right-wing politics

Mike Johnson's Surveillance Push Has a Thomas Massie Problem

Right-wing politics

On Mass Surveillance, Will the Deep State Win Again?

SF politics

Congress can finally close a mass surveillance loophole - but will they?

Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance, faces potential reform as it is set to expire, amid bipartisan concerns over its misuse.

House extends surveillance powers for 10 days

The House voted to extend a controversial surveillance program, FISA 702, until April 30 amid ongoing debates about privacy and national security.

With US spy laws set to expire, lawmakers are split over protecting Americans from warrantless surveillance | TechCrunch

Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance, is set to expire, with lawmakers divided on extending it without reforms.

Why Congress is fighting over a central tool of American surveillance

Section 702 of FISA is crucial for U.S. intelligence but raises concerns about privacy violations of American citizens.

more#fisa

#surveillance

East Bay (California)

California Coastal Community Must Reject CBP's AI-Powered Surveillance Tower

SF politics

Senate Extends Surveillance Powers Until April 30 After Chaotic Votes in House

Privacy technologies

Selling Mass Surveillance | EFFector 38.7

US politics

Fisa surveillance vote sparks fierce debate as Congress splits on warrantless monitoring

US politics

Trump Urges Extending Foreign Surveillance Program as Some Lawmakers Push for US Privacy Protections

fromwww.aljazeera.com

Privacy professionals

US Congress extends controversial surveillance power under FISA for 10 days

East Bay (California)

California Coastal Community Must Reject CBP's AI-Powered Surveillance Tower

CBP plans to install a surveillance tower in San Clemente for monitoring coastal neighborhoods, raising privacy concerns among residents.

SF politics

Senate Extends Surveillance Powers Until April 30 After Chaotic Votes in House

The Senate approved a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program until April 30 amid political challenges and privacy concerns.

Selling Mass Surveillance | EFFector 38.7

Police surveillance technology often expands beyond its original purpose, leading to concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

Fisa surveillance vote sparks fierce debate as Congress splits on warrantless monitoring

A controversial law allowing warrantless surveillance is set to expire, sparking intense debate over its renewal and potential reforms.

Trump Urges Extending Foreign Surveillance Program as Some Lawmakers Push for US Privacy Protections

Congress is reauthorizing a program allowing warrantless surveillance of foreigners, raising concerns about civil liberties and privacy for Americans.

fromwww.aljazeera.com

US Congress extends controversial surveillance power under FISA for 10 days

The US Congress has temporarily extended a controversial surveillance law allowing intelligence agencies to collect foreign data, including interactions with US citizens.

more#surveillance

Act Now to Stop California's Paternalistic and Privacy-Destroying Social Media Ban

A.B. 1709 would ban social media for under-16s and require identity verification for all users, threatening privacy and online anonymity.

#palantir

UK politics

Thousands call on UK ministers to cut ties with US tech giant Palantir

Public concern over Palantir's contracts with UK entities has led to petitions urging the government to terminate these agreements.

Social justice

Palantir Has a Human Rights Policy. Its ICE Work Tells a Different Story

Palantir's human rights commitments are undermined by its continued partnership with ICE, which is linked to abusive immigration enforcement practices.

UK politics

Thousands call on UK ministers to cut ties with US tech giant Palantir

Public concern over Palantir's contracts with UK entities has led to petitions urging the government to terminate these agreements.

Social justice

Palantir Has a Human Rights Policy. Its ICE Work Tells a Different Story

Palantir's human rights commitments are undermined by its continued partnership with ICE, which is linked to abusive immigration enforcement practices.

more#palantir

Business intelligence

How Physical Security Data Is Supporting Public Safety Challenges

Physical security data is primarily used for officer safety, situational awareness, and responding to public safety emergencies.

Surveillance vendors caught abusing access to telcos to track people's phone locations, researchers say | TechCrunch

Two spying campaigns exploit telecom infrastructure weaknesses to track individuals' locations, revealing ongoing vulnerabilities in global phone networks.

fromPadailypost

Palo Alto learns its license plate cameras could be searched by other police agencies across the country

In late 2023, unbeknownst to many users including PAPD, Flock added a new 'Nationwide Lookup' search feature. Using this feature, an out-of-state local law enforcement or federal agency could perform a broad search of data from Flock's entire nationwide network of over 6,000 cameras, including the 20 cameras then-deployed in Palo Alto.

California

Apple

Apple stops weirdly storing data that let cops spy on Signal chats

Signal's patch deletes preserved notifications and prevents future preservation for deleted apps, but user concerns about privacy remain.

Germany politics

fromThe Local Germany

Germany launches spying probe into Signal attacks targeting MPs

German prosecutors investigate phishing attacks on lawmakers, linked to Russia, highlighting the need for vigilance against espionage threats.

Law

fromwww.amny.com

Intellectual property law

NY's highest court sets new precedent for how police must communicate when making arrests based on shared information | amNewYork

Police must verify information with the officer who entered it before making an arrest based on law enforcement databases.

EFF Challenges Secrecy In Eastern District of Texas Patent Case

Courts must maintain transparency and not allow excessive sealing of documents, especially in patent litigation cases.

fromZDNET

Government adoption of AI agents could outpace the private sector

Agentic AI adoption in government is a leadership mandate, with 82% already using it and 71% planning to increase usage by 2026-2027.

New York City

fromFOX 5 New York

NYPD detectives in viral arrest video didn't have body cameras, used WhatsApp to call for backup

NYPD officers used WhatsApp instead of radios during a violent arrest, raising concerns about police communication protocols.

France news

France confirms data breach at government agency that manages citizens' IDs | TechCrunch

The French government agency ANTS confirmed a data breach affecting citizens' identity documents, potentially involving millions of personal records.

The future of data, privacy and ethics

Misleading practices in e-commerce, such as false stock availability, are regulated by the European Commission to protect consumers.

Privacy technologies

How ICE Got My Data | EFFector 38.8

Privacy professionals

Tech bills of the week: Creating data privacy standards; Securing critical infrastructure from drones; and more

Privacy professionals

A new Republican privacy bill could be 'worse than no standard at all'

How our digital devices are putting our right to privacy at risk

Digital convenience comes at the cost of personal data privacy, raising concerns about its potential use against individuals by law enforcement.

Rental platform unnecessarily collected the data of millions of Australians, privacy commissioner finds

Excessive data collection by rental platforms increases tenant vulnerability, prompting calls for reduced personal information requirements.

EU data protection

fromThedrum

The future of data, privacy and ethics

Misleading practices in e-commerce, such as false stock availability, are regulated by the European Commission to protect consumers.

How ICE Got My Data | EFFector 38.8

Tech companies may compromise user data when pressured by the government, as seen in a case involving Google and ICE.

Tech bills of the week: Creating data privacy standards; Securing critical infrastructure from drones; and more

Republican lawmakers introduced two data privacy bills focusing on consumer control and national standards for data management.

A new Republican privacy bill could be 'worse than no standard at all'

Congress is attempting to pass a national data privacy law that may weaken protections in some states while strengthening them in others.

How our digital devices are putting our right to privacy at risk

Digital convenience comes at the cost of personal data privacy, raising concerns about its potential use against individuals by law enforcement.

Rental platform unnecessarily collected the data of millions of Australians, privacy commissioner finds

Excessive data collection by rental platforms increases tenant vulnerability, prompting calls for reduced personal information requirements.

more#data-privacy

#ai

fromThe Hill

20 hours ago

Can AI agents protect our privacy?

AI is transforming the web, increasing privacy risks while offering opportunities to improve data protection.

fromHarvard Gazette

Got personal financial, medical data you'd like to keep private? Good luck.Got personal financial, medical data you'd like to keep private? Good luck. - Harvard Gazette

New AI models may increase the risk of cybercriminals breaching secure systems, exposing personal data.

fromThe Hill

20 hours ago

Can AI agents protect our privacy?

AI is transforming the web, increasing privacy risks while offering opportunities to improve data protection.

fromHarvard Gazette

Got personal financial, medical data you'd like to keep private? Good luck.Got personal financial, medical data you'd like to keep private? Good luck. - Harvard Gazette

New AI models may increase the risk of cybercriminals breaching secure systems, exposing personal data.

US politics

US Going Deeper Into The Red Now That The IRS Is Sharing Tax Data With ICE - Above the Law

US politics

Police across the US worry officers are being misidentified as ICE, records show

fromAbove the Law

US Going Deeper Into The Red Now That The IRS Is Sharing Tax Data With ICE - Above the Law

Immigrants significantly contribute to the US economy, helping to offset national debt and budget deficits despite lower hourly wages.

Police across the US worry officers are being misidentified as ICE, records show

Immigration operations are causing confusion and fear among law enforcement, impacting their ability to perform regular duties effectively.

Proctor's phone data back in the spotlight as Karen Read teases lawsuit against State Police, Canton

Proctor's cellphone communications reveal extreme bias and misconduct, leading to his termination from the State Police and ongoing legal repercussions for Read.

Apple

Apple fixes bug that cops used to extract deleted chat messages from iPhones | TechCrunch

Apple fixed a bug that allowed law enforcement to extract deleted messages from iPhones and iPads via cached notifications.

#meta

fromTNW | Meta

Meta is installing tracking software on US employees' computers

Meta is implementing tracking software on employee computers to gather data for AI model training, raising concerns about workplace surveillance.

Privacy professionals

Meta Installing Software on Employee Computers to Track Everything They Do, Feed the Data to AI

Meta is implementing tracking software on employees' computers to gather data for AI training, raising ethical and privacy concerns.

fromTNW | Meta

Meta is installing tracking software on US employees' computers

Meta is implementing tracking software on employee computers to gather data for AI model training, raising concerns about workplace surveillance.

Meta Installing Software on Employee Computers to Track Everything They Do, Feed the Data to AI

Meta is implementing tracking software on employees' computers to gather data for AI training, raising ethical and privacy concerns.

more#meta

#section-702

fromThe Washington Post

US news

Powerful surveillance program faces obstacles as renewal deadline looms

fromThe Cipher Brief

An FBI Perspective on FISA Section 702

Allowing Section 702 to lapse would create intelligence gaps that adversaries are poised to exploit, threatening American security.

Keep Pushing: We Get 10 More Days to Reform Section 702

Lawmakers are pushing for true reform and privacy protections regarding FBI access to information collected under Section 702.

US politics

Domestic surveillance fears loom over Congress debate to renew spying power

fromThe Washington Post

US news

Powerful surveillance program faces obstacles as renewal deadline looms

fromThe Cipher Brief

An FBI Perspective on FISA Section 702

Allowing Section 702 to lapse would create intelligence gaps that adversaries are poised to exploit, threatening American security.

Keep Pushing: We Get 10 More Days to Reform Section 702

Lawmakers are pushing for true reform and privacy protections regarding FBI access to information collected under Section 702.

US politics

Domestic surveillance fears loom over Congress debate to renew spying power

Intellectual property law

Scoop: NSA using Anthropic's Mythos despite Defense Department blacklist

fromEngadget

The NSA is reportedly using Anthropic's new model Mythos

The NSA is using Anthropic's Mythos Preview despite ongoing tensions with the Pentagon over military use safeguards.

fromAxios

Intellectual property law

Scoop: NSA using Anthropic's Mythos despite Defense Department blacklist

fromEngadget

The NSA is reportedly using Anthropic's new model Mythos

The NSA is using Anthropic's Mythos Preview despite ongoing tensions with the Pentagon over military use safeguards.

more#anthropic

EFF Sues DHS and ICE For Records on Subpoenas Seeking to Unmask Online Critics

EFF is suing DHS and ICE for misuse of subpoenas to obtain user data without proper notification.

Court blocks California law requiring federal agents to wear some form of ID

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the law, arguing it would threaten the safety of officers who are facing harassment, doxing and violence, and that it violated the constitution because the state is directly regulating the federal government.

Law

NSA spies are reportedly using Anthropic's Mythos, despite Pentagon feud | TechCrunch

The NSA is reportedly using Anthropic's Mythos model for cybersecurity despite previous tensions over access to AI capabilities.

fromAdExchanger

Does The New Federal Data Privacy Bill Have A Snowball's Chance Of Passing? | AdExchanger

House Republicans introduced the SECURE Data Act to create a national privacy standard that preempts state laws, targeting large data-handling companies.

Leak Shows ICE Planning to Use Facial Recognition Glasses to Identify Targets in Real Time

ICE plans to use facial recognition glasses for real-time data collection on Americans, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.

ICE acknowledges it is using powerful spyware

ICE is using spyware tools to intercept encrypted messages to combat fentanyl trafficking.

Leak Shows ICE Planning to Use Facial Recognition Glasses to Identify Targets in Real Time

ICE plans to use facial recognition glasses for real-time data collection on Americans, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.

ICE acknowledges it is using powerful spyware

ICE is using spyware tools to intercept encrypted messages to combat fentanyl trafficking.

High Court approves Met Police's facial recog after dispute

London's Metropolitan Police can continue using live facial recognition technology after a legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court.

fromwww.bbc.com

Case lost against Met Police over live facial ID

The High Court upheld the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition technology, dismissing concerns over discrimination and human rights violations.

High Court approves Met Police's facial recog after dispute

London's Metropolitan Police can continue using live facial recognition technology after a legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court.

fromwww.bbc.com

Case lost against Met Police over live facial ID

The High Court upheld the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition technology, dismissing concerns over discrimination and human rights violations.

more#facial-recognition

fromFast Company

How the government is ramping up mass surveillance with AI-driven tech

Surveillance capitalism collects extensive personal data through various devices and technologies, often without user consent or effective opt-out options.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

Judge sides with plaintiffs in case against online ICE trackers

A judge granted a preliminary injunction allowing a Facebook group to continue monitoring ICE activities, citing First Amendment rights against government suppression.

Another spyware maker caught distributing fake Android snooping apps | TechCrunch

Morpheus, a new malware identified by Osservatorio Nessuno, masquerades as a phone updating app and is capable of stealing a broad range of data from an intended target's device.

Privacy professionals

fromFast Company

Meta tracking employee keystrokes to train AI is probably legal. Experts say that doesn't make it ethical

Meta Platforms is implementing software to track employee computer usage to train AI models, raising privacy concerns amid potential layoffs.

UK government says 100 countries have spyware that can hack people's phones | TechCrunch

More than half of the world's governments now have access to commercial spyware, increasing risks for citizens and critical infrastructure.

Crook claims to leak 'video surveillance footage' of firms

Be Prime confirmed a cybersecurity incident involving alleged access to its surveillance footage and client data by a criminal hacker.

fromABC7 San Francisco

Antioch police launches Flock Camera Transparency Portal, allowing public to access data

Antioch Police Department utilizes Flock cameras to solve felony cases and enhance transparency through a new public portal.

fromtechsciencetoday

LinkedIn Accused of Spying on Its Users

LinkedIn faces serious allegations of corporate espionage, claiming it collects user data without consent through hidden code.

fromPrivacy International

Privacy advocates want Google to stop handing consumer data over to ICE

Google is being investigated for allegedly failing to notify users before disclosing their data to law enforcement.

EU data protection

Clearview and the long arm of the law

UK tribunal overturned judgment allowing Clearview's face-scraping; clarifies data-protection scope and prevents multinational companies dodging local laws.

They're Watching You

Private detection and spying on people was only a cottage industry by comparison with what it is today, when everything happens, if not in the glare of publicity exactly, at least within the purview of electronic surveillance of one kind or another. Surveillance is to us what electricity was to James Thurber's aunt, that is to say leaking all over the house.

Right-wing politics

fromEmptywheel

I Con the Record Admits All This Spying Also Serves Counterintelligence

The Intelligence Community uses online anonymity and networking tools to collect foreign intelligence, including counterintelligence and cybersecurity, while asserting legal limits on targeting US citizens.

Law

fromEmptywheel

Yet More Cell Phones IDed in Program that Purportedly Doesn't Get Cell Phones

FBI phone-dragnet data frequently relied on cellphone connections—including T-Mobile and AT&T numbers—and mixed EO 12333 and Section 215 data, contradicting claims of no cell collection.

#fbi

Breach of FBI Surveillance System Considered a "Major Incident," Security Experts Weigh In

FBI confirms major breach of surveillance system, exposing sensitive data and potentially revealing criminal probes and surveillance targets.

How the FBI can conduct mass surveillance even without AI

The FBI can conduct mass surveillance by purchasing data on citizens without AI assistance, despite concerns over privacy and legal protections.

The FBI Buys Data to Track Movement, Location History

FBI and Defense Intelligence Agency purchase commercially available data to track individuals, raising concerns about privacy and Fourth Amendment rights.

fromJezebel

Oh, Good, Kash Patel's FBI is Buying Location Data to Track Americans

Kash Patel admitted under oath that the FBI purchases location data to track citizens without warrants, raising significant Fourth Amendment concerns.

Breach of FBI Surveillance System Considered a "Major Incident," Security Experts Weigh In

FBI confirms major breach of surveillance system, exposing sensitive data and potentially revealing criminal probes and surveillance targets.

How the FBI can conduct mass surveillance even without AI

The FBI can conduct mass surveillance by purchasing data on citizens without AI assistance, despite concerns over privacy and legal protections.

The FBI Buys Data to Track Movement, Location History

FBI and Defense Intelligence Agency purchase commercially available data to track individuals, raising concerns about privacy and Fourth Amendment rights.

fromJezebel

Oh, Good, Kash Patel's FBI is Buying Location Data to Track Americans

Kash Patel admitted under oath that the FBI purchases location data to track citizens without warrants, raising significant Fourth Amendment concerns.

Exigent Letters Timeline

FBI relied on exigent letters, NSLs, and Section 215 orders with telecom cooperation from 2002–2008, prompting procedural changes, investigations, and oversight actions.

#government-surveillance

Government Spying Targeted Advertising | EFFector 38.5

Governments exploit commercial advertising surveillance systems to access personal data about citizens, creating privacy risks beyond corporate tracking.

fromTechdirt

Privacy professionals

Docs Expose CBP's Use Of Ad Data To Track People's Movements

fromgizmodo.com

Feds Used Online Advertising Data to Track the Public's Phone Locations

CBP purchased online advertising data containing mobile phone location information tracked through Advertising IDs to support border security operations including targeting, vetting, and illicit network discovery.

Government Spying Targeted Advertising | EFFector 38.5

Governments exploit commercial advertising surveillance systems to access personal data about citizens, creating privacy risks beyond corporate tracking.

fromTechdirt

Privacy professionals

Docs Expose CBP's Use Of Ad Data To Track People's Movements

fromgizmodo.com

more#government-surveillance

Feds Used Online Advertising Data to Track the Public's Phone Locations

All These Ring Cameras Are Creating a "Surveillance Nightmare," Critics Say

Widespread consumer Ring doorbells create a massive civilian surveillance system that threatens privacy, enables law enforcement access, and disproportionately harms marginalized communities.

fromEngadget

Don't be surprised that the FBI is buying your location data

The FBI purchases location data from advertising companies to track US citizens, circumventing Fourth Amendment protections established in Carpenter v. United States.

#fbi-surveillance

Why is the FBI buying people's location data and how is it using the information?

The FBI resumes purchasing commercially available location data on Americans, circumventing warrant requirements and Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless surveillance.

fromCNET

Privacy professionals

FBI Confirms Buying Data That Could Be Used to Track Americans

Privacy professionals

FBI started buying Americans' location data again, Kash Patel confirms

Privacy professionals

Patel dodges question about FBI buying location data

fromThe Washington Times

Privacy professionals

Patel says FBI is now buying Americans' internet location data

Why is the FBI buying people's location data and how is it using the information?

The FBI resumes purchasing commercially available location data on Americans, circumventing warrant requirements and Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless surveillance.

fromCNET

FBI Confirms Buying Data That Could Be Used to Track Americans

FBI Director Kash Patel admitted under oath that the agency purchases commercially available data to track Americans, circumventing Fourth Amendment protections without warrants.

FBI started buying Americans' location data again, Kash Patel confirms

The FBI has restarted purchasing Americans' location data without warrants, with Director Kash Patel defending the practice as valuable for national security despite previous claims of stopping it.

Patel dodges question about FBI buying location data

FBI Director Kash Patel admitted the agency purchases commercially available information from data brokers, potentially including location data, which Senator Wyden argues violates the Fourth Amendment without warrant requirements.

fromThe Washington Times

Patel says FBI is now buying Americans' internet location data

The FBI purchases commercially available location data from internet advertising brokers without warrants, claiming compliance with constitutional and privacy laws.

more#fbi-surveillance

fromEmptywheel

Upstream US Person Collection: EO 12333 and/or FISA?

NSA uses multiple distinct Section 702 collection methods; PRISM is not the sole source of internet content collection, and upstream collection captures backbone traffic.

FBI queries of Americans' data under FISA 702 rose 35% in 2025

FBI searches of Americans' data collected under Section 702 of FISA increased 35% from December 2024 to November 2025, while the percentage of searches returning relevant information declined significantly.

fromWIRED

US Lawmakers Move to Kill the FBI's Warrantless Wiretap Access

Bipartisan Congress members introduced legislation requiring FBI warrants for backdoor searches of Americans' communications, aligning with a 2025 federal court ruling against warrantless surveillance practices.

fromwww.mercurynews.com