Summary

:A new report from Amnesty International details how a zero-day exploit developed by Cellebrite was used to unlock an Android phone belonging to a Serbian youth activist. The exploit targeted Android USB drivers, highlighting the vulnerability of devices to sophisticated attacks.

This raises concerns about mass surveillance and censorship, as well as the protection of human rights for activists and journalists. International organizations must take steps to ensure the safety and security of those who speak out against injustice, while also addressing the root causes of such exploitation.

The use of such exploits demands a global response.

Summary

R The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of Grindr, a popular dating app, citing Section 230 immunity. The plaintiff, who was misclassified as an adult on the app, brought various claims against Grindr, but the court dismissed all except for a federal civil sex trafficking claim.

The ruling affirms that online services cannot be held responsible for publishing harmful user-generated content. While this decision may seem to shield platforms from liability, it also highlights the need foeevaluating our approach to defamation and holding perpetrators accountable in the digital age.

Summary

EFF has urged the California Supreme Court to uphold the Stored Communications Act's protections against providers disclosing user communications to third parties. A lower court decision would allow Meta, Snap, and other providers to voluntarily disclose content without restriction, setting a potentially damaging precedent.

EFF, along with the Center for Democracy & Technology and Mozilla Corporation, has filed an amicus brief urging the court to uphold these privacy protections, which have stood for 40 years. The issue revolves around whether users have a reasonable expectation of privacy when communicating through providers like Meta and Snap.

Summary

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is concerned about proposed changes to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 29 that would make it harder to file amicus briefs in circuit courts. These briefs are a core part of EFF's legal work, providing valuable outside perspectives on cases and contributing to informed court decisions.

Two proposed changes are particularly concerning: disfavoring amicus briefs that address issues already mentioned by the parties, and reducing the amount and types of such briefs filed. EFF has submitted comments opposing these changes, highlighting their potential impact on access to important perspectives and the integrity of the judicial process.

Summary

EFF will be attending RightsCon in Taipei, Taiwan from 24-27 February. Several members, including director-level staff and experts, will participate in sessions, panels, and networking opportunities.

The EFF delegation includes individuals leading sessions on platform accountability, digital rights defenders, and human rights challenges. They will connect with attendees, particularly at the following sessions: "Mutual Support" and "Platform Accountability in Crisis".

These events aim to foster dialogue, learn from Taiwan's tech community, and contribute to the global conversation on pressing issues. EFF hopes to engage with attendees and support the global dialogue on digital human rights challenges.

Summary

EFF is working to expand its efforts in Europe to promote digital rights and fight online harms. The organization's mission is to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all people worldwide.

EFF is highlighting the need to reduce data collection and processing by corporations, strengthening GDPR enforcement, and promoting a "privacy first" approach. However, age verification tools have raised concerns about free speech and individual rights, particularly in the UK's Online Safety Act.

EFF must balance these competing interests and ensure effective regulation that respects human rights while preventing online harms.

Summary

In March 2024, KrebsOnSecurity exposed the Onerep founder's involvement with numerous people-search companies. In response, Mozilla announced it would stop bundling Onerep with Firefox and wind down its partnership.

However, nearly a year later, Mozilla continues to promote Onerep to users. This raises questions about the company's commitment to user privacy and online security.Mozilla's inaction is particularly concerning given its reputation as a champion of digital rights.

The incident highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability among tech companies. Regulators must also step up their efforts to hold these organizations accountable for their data handling practices.Users deserve better.

Mozilla must take immediate action to rectify this situation and prioritize their online security and privacy.

Summary

The NO FAKES Act's safe harbor scheme and penalties pose significant risks to over-censorship and stifle online expression. The bill's broad provisions and dramatic penalties could lead platforms to err on the side of caution, removing legitimate content and chilling creativity.

In contrast, the DMCA notice and takedown process has offered important protections for creators while also allowing for the development of new speech venues. Any changes to copyright law must balance intellectual property protection with the need to promote innovation and free expression online.

Safeguards like counter-notice processes can help mitigate abuse and ensure that legitimate content is not removed prematurely.