#techfreedom

[ladookhotnikov]

Let us ban words, terrorists use them

Telegram’s popularity surged dramatically after Pavel Durov’s arrest. The app skyrocketed in the ranking of top US applications. It jumped from 18th to the 8th place of the most popular apps in the United States. Besides, it’s the second most popular app in the US social networking category. 

The app visibility also increased in France, though it hadn’t been widely used there before. It soared into the top-3 of best apps in France. Thus, it secured the third spot overall and number one position in the Social Networking category. 

The growing public skepticism towards government actions is evident. Is it a form of protest against threats to digital privacy? Ironically, targeting Durov, the government has achieved the opposite effect! The arrest has propelled Telegram into the spotlight and boosted its user base. 

The #FreePavel trend is circulating in all social networks. 

Pavel Durov once wrote: "Let us ban words, terrorists use them", highlighting the absurdity of excessive control disguised as security measures. 

This approach seems to resonate with the public as people are growing more cautious of censorship.

[solaura-meditate-with-laura]

📵 Unplug for Peace: Tech-Free Meditation

Designate a sacred time each day to disconnect from electronic devices. Let the digital noise fade away as you embark on a tech-free meditation. This intentional break reduces mental clutter, allowing space for inner peace. This is so important to your well-being. We can forget to switch off. I always put my phone down at least an hour before I go to sleep. How do you create your tech-free moments?

Share your tips! 👇

[cipherhut-blog]

🚀 Riding the Solana Wave: Seracle's Code-Agnostic Revolution for Web3 Hey crypto enthusiasts! 🌐✨ Exciting news in the blockchain space: Solana is on the rise, and Rust is making a comeback! 🚀 Amidst the hype and skepticism, the synergy between Solana's speed and Rust's power is turning heads. But here's the catch—Rust comes with a learning curve, posing a dilemma for devs cozy with Python or JavaScript.

🌐 Breaking Free with Seracle! 🌐

Enter Seracle, a game-changer for Web3 development! Imagine coding for Solana without being tied down by syntax. With Seracle, you can use your favorite language—Python, JavaScript, Go—and still tap into Solana's power. No more language barriers; it's all about building cool stuff!

✨ Advantages of Seracle's Code-Agnostic Approach: ✨

#NoLearningCurve: Dive into Solana without wrestling with Rust. Seracle opens the doors to a wider talent pool, accelerating innovation.

#FasterDevTimes: Focus on your logic, not syntax. Seracle speeds up development cycles, getting your projects to market quicker.

#EfficiencyMatters: Leverage your existing skills for efficient, optimized Solana projects. No need for redundant learning!

#LanguageFlexibility: Switch between languages as your projects evolve. Choose the right tool for the job and maximize your coding power.

Solana and Rust's rise signals a bright future for blockchain, but Seracle knows one language shouldn't rule them all. By going code-agnostic, Seracle champions a diverse and inclusive developer community.

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Your code shouldn't be dictated by the platform. For those riding the Solana wave, Seracle's Public Endpoints are your ticket to endless possibilities—innovation, freedom, and coding like no one's watching! 🚀🔗 

Read the full article here👇 https://blog.seracle.com/2023/12/solana-surge-rust-renaissance/

[rdphostings]

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[dotsnkey]

🇮🇳 This 15th of August, when India raises its flag to celebrate freedom, Dotsnkey proudly remembers this special day. . . Just like our country became free, we keep working on new technology. We think that the digital world we use now shows how we can think freely, be creative, and make progress. . . Every time we write code or solve problems, we help our country grow. While fireworks light up the sky, let's also light up the online world by working hard for a better digital future. . . Happy 77th Independence Day! 🎉🌟🙌 . .

[nats-revival]

Not they tryna reenact KOSA… anyway yall, here’s why KOSA is bad!!

If you don’t already know, KOSA, or Kids Online Safety Act is a bill that was proposed to keep children safe on the internet. You might ask ‘why is this bill bad if it’s in favor of supporting the safety of children online’? Well, according to stopkosa.com, it puts pressure on platforms to add even MORE filters on anything they think is inappropriate for children. This is especially harmful for LBGTQIA+ youth because the knowledge about this topic would be censored, as well as knowledge on suicide prevention and LGBTQIA+ support groups. Do you see how this an issue? For those children who are wanting to learn more about these topics they’d be turned away because of this bill. It would also be likely that it’ll allow the shutdown of websites that allow them to learn about race, sexuality and gender.

This bill would also add more internet surveillance for all users across all social media platforms. It would expand the use of age verification and parental monitoring controls. These things in itself are already very invasive, but doesn’t take into consideration the children who live in unsafe environments where they are domestically abused and/or are trying to escape these situations. To add my two cents onto this, I strongly believe that the KOSA bill is an unnecessary violation of our first amendment rights (if you’re American), and doesn’t really make the internet any more safer. It actually makes it more unusable for youth. Hypothetically, if this bill were to be passed, then this would make social media unusable for literally anybody. To censor content from the youth about wanting to learn about their identity is extremely harmful. Blocking them from accessing resources that may prove as helpful in their scenarios is outlandish and unneeded. We try to shelter our youth so much to the point where we try to boil them down to only being with their parents want them to be and also not being able to let them learn and explore about other things that they may want to identify themselves with. This is very harmful.

This is a list of companies who are saying no to KOSA ..

• Access Now

• ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

• Black and Pink National

• Center for Democracy & Technology

• COLAGE

• Defending Rights & Dissent

• Don’t Delete Art

• EducateUS: SIECUS In Action

• Electronic Frontier Foundation

• Equality Arizona

• Equality California

• Equality Michigan

• Equality New Mexico

• Equality Texas

• Fair Wisconsin

• Fairness Campaign

• Fight for the Future

• Free Speech Coalition

• Freedom Network USA

• Indivisible Eastside

• Indivisible Plus Washington

• Internet Society

• Kairos

• Lexington Pride Center

• LGBT Technology Partnership

• Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition

• Media Justice

• National Coalition Against Censorship

• Open Technology Institute

• OutNebraska

• PDX Privacy

• Presente.org

• Reframe Health and Justice

• Restore The Fourth

• SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change

• SWOP Behind Bars 

• TAKE

• TechFreedom

• The 6:52 Project Foundation, Inc.

• The Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center

• Transgender Education Network of Texas

• TransOhio

• University of Michigan Dearborn – Muslim Student Association 

• URGE

• WA People’s Privacy

• Woodhull Freedom Foundation

There is something you can do to stop the KOSA bill from being passed! On the website I linked, there is a petition. All you have to do is fill out the information and it’ll send off an email for you. The email reads as follows:

I’m writing to urge you to reject the Kids Online Safety Act, a misguided bill that would put vulnerable young people at risk. KOSA would fail to address the root issues related to kid’s safety online. Instead, it would endanger some of the most vulnerable people in our society while undermining human rights and children’s privacy. The bill would result in widespread internet censorship by pressuring platforms to use incredibly broad “content filters” and giving state Attorneys General the power to decide what content kids should and shouldn’t have access to online. This power could be abused in a number of ways and be politicized to censor information and resources. KOSA would also likely lead to the greater surveillance of children online by requiring platforms to gather data to verify user identity. There is a way to protect kids and all people online from egregious data abuse and harmful content targeting: passing a strong Federal data privacy law that prevents tech companies from collecting so much sensitive data about all of us in the first place, and gives individuals the ability to sue companies that misuse their data. KOSA, although well-meaning, must not move forward. Please protect privacy and stop the spread of censorship online by opposing KOSA.

The website also gives you like a format of what you can say if you chose to call your representatives. If after reading this post, you feel inclined to do something then I would say just go ahead and do it. My first time learning about KOSA was today immediately after seeing the post I felt inclined to send my lawmakers an email. Please try to help when you can and this will only take a few minutes so I think this is something that you can consider. This post is getting a little long now, so I’ll stop here. There are more resources online if you would like to learn more about the cons of this KOSA bill, thank you for reading.

[screechingdonglecopy]

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#DongleEmulator #TechFreedom

[arcticdementor]

Today, TechFreedom filed an amicus brief urging the D.C. Circuit not to extend the National Environmental Policy Act into outer space.

SpaceX is seeking to become the first company to provide widespread, low-latency, reasonably priced, direct-to-consumer satellite broadband. In the order at issue here, the FCC granted SpaceX’s request to move some previously licensed satellites to a lower orbit. On appeal, a rival satellite broadband company contends that the FCC’s order failed to comply with NEPA, a procedural statute that requires the government to assess the environmental impact of “major actions”—defined broadly to include many permit approvals. Both the FCC and SpaceX contend that the FCC satisfied the statute’s requirements.

TechFreedom’s brief argues that whether the order complies with NEPA is irrelevant, because NEPA does not apply in the first place.

“American law is presumed to apply only where America is sovereign,” said James E. Dunstan, TechFreedom’s General Counsel. “America is not the sovereign of space. On the contrary, our nation has little control over what other countries do on the final frontier. Indeed, if we were to smother our satellite companies in procedural red tape, nothing would stop other nations, such as China, from steaming ahead with their own broadband satellite constellations, with far less concern for the space environment.”

“Absent a clear signal from Congress, therefore, NEPA does not apply in space,” Dunstan continued, “yet NEPA contains no such signal. On the contrary, the law says that it applies only to the ‘human environment’ and the ‘biosphere.’ The absence of a clear reference to space is especially telling when you consider the year NEPA was passed—1970. It was the height of the Space Race. We had just joined the Outer Space Treaty and landed on the Moon. Never in American history has Congress been more aware of outer space—but NEPA makes no mention of it.”

[fortunecookielife]

I found time today to unplug and got in an awesome kettlebell workout and spent some time with my little lady today. Did you unplug today and if so what did you do today? #unplug #techfreedom #getcreative #betterrealtionships #learnsomethingneweveryday #learnsomethingneweveyday #purposedrivenlife (at Fort Collins, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw8R9IuHrBD/?igshid=1xq6w1b17sil0

[mrossi21ahsgov]

Political Interest Groups and PACS Assignment

The political interest group I am focusing on in this post is TECHFREEDOM. They are a non profit organization focused on limiting the control the GOVT has over technology and data. They believe in preserving the future, more specifically not trying to control what may come from it. They want legislators and officials to step back from the natural impulse of stability and control, and rather let the process play out. They often post letters that they have written to D.C. many of them are about section 230. In there most recent the head of TECHFREEDOM advocates for change, specifically making things more clear and exact. One thing they point out is that the bill is ruining the first amendment and the ability for social media platforms ability to regulate content on there websites. They strongly believe in RIFO (restoring internet freedom order) and are constantly suggesting changes that should be made to make it better and better. They very much so support this and believe that it will pass in court easily. They are based in Washington D.C. and tend to hold events local to the area. Sadly though, they have not had any events recently and I dont think they will anytime soon in the bay area. I like how they have been able to keep the same ideology throughout all of there posts and letters. All go back to the same local topic. 

The Super Pac I have chosen to write about is  the Political Economic Technology Action Committee. The are a very small PAC only raising 528 dollars this year. I am unable to find a stance from them or who they might support. they have spent 245 dollars which is a big step up from 2016 when they spent 7 dollars. Mabye on some lunch.  They have spent 0 dollars for or against both parties. Nobody gave any large donations to the Super PAC. Overall a little sad there are no Super PACs focused on the issue I am focusing on, but its to be expected as there is much more that the country has been focusing on recently. 

[minnesotafollower]

Lobbying the Incoming Trump Administration To Continue Normalization with Cuba  

Major supporters of U.S. normalization of relations with Cuba have been lobbying the incoming Trump administration to continue that policy. This includes Cuban entrepreneurs, as discussed in a prior post, and most recently U.S. agricultural and business groups.

Agricultural Groups[1]

On January 12 over 100 U.S. agricultural trade groups, including the American Farm Bureau and the American Feed…

[jwixsom20ahsgov]

Political Interest Groups, and PAC Assessment

1a.National Interest group: Center for Democracy and Technology. (CDT)

b.Position/perspective: They are fighting government surveillance and finding innovative policy solutions to internet challenges.

c. Preserve the unique nature of the Internet. Enhance freedom of expression globally. Protect our fundamental right to privacy. Limit government surveillance. Define the boundaries of technology in our daily lives.

d. They desire bill, H.R. 4782 which “establishes a national commission on online platforms and homeland security, and other purposes”

e. The interest group is located in Washington D.C. There arn’t any meetings/events due to the fact that most of them are on the east coast.

f. No volunteer work.

2a. TechFreedom

b. The TechFreedom group focuses on the policy and legal questions raised by the advancement of technology.

c. TechFreedom tries to write simple rules for a complex world. They want rules that unleash ingenuity rather than direct it. They believe that modern society is a trial-and-error process. They believe that for order to come to society, things will seem messy at first. They believe that we can’t design the future.

d. They desire the reformation of the ECPA

e. Located in California. Next meeting on December 19th at the Capitol Hill.

3. I think that the Center For Democracy and Technology seemed more organized due to the fact they had a better website and formatting. CDT is probably more successful because not only was it founded wat before Techfreedom, but it has more followers. The Techfreedom seemed to be targeting more of the youth whereas CDT shoots for all of America.

4a. PAC name: Internet Assn 

b. To empower people through the freedom and open expanses of the internet.

c. Raised:15K Spent:16.9K Cash in hand: 57K

d. Their budget is split 100% democrats, 0% Republicans.

e. donors: none

[nil-the-glitch]

Donald Trump wants to give Ajit Pai a new job: Internet Censor-in-Chief.

Leaked documents show that President Trump is preparing an executive order that will put FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the FTC in charge of policing political speech they deem unacceptable on Facebook, Twitter, and pretty much anywhere else on the Internet.

We need to act FAST to stop this proposal. With a big enough public backlash, we can get Trump to back off and save free speech on the Internet.

Will you rush an emergency donation to help stop the “Censor the Internet” Executive Order?

If signed and upheld by the courts, this order would give the FCC and FTC sweeping power to control what speech is allowed on online forums and media platforms.

It would essentially be the end of free speech on the Internet.

The proposal would give unelected government bureaucrats the power to revoke free speech protections passed by Congress as part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, the key law that allows websites that allow user-generated content—like forums, social media, meme generators, and review sites—to exist.

In practice, this executive order would mean that whichever political party is in power could dictate what speech is allowed on the Internet. If the government doesn’t like the way a private company is moderating content, they can shut their entire website down.

No government official should have such sweeping power to control political speech, certainly not a former Verizon lawyer who has used his office to attack free expression over and over again.

Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist, Independent, or something else, this plan should send shivers down your spine, and it’s been condemned by First Amendment experts across the political spectrum.1, 2, 3

It’s likely that the White House leaked this draft in order to test the waters. They’ve done this before. If we can stir up a large and immediate public backlash, we can stop this attack on the First Amendment right now. Will you rush an emergency donation right now to help fight back?

For the Internet,

Evan at Fight for the Future

Footnotes: 1. Twitter: https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1159893959721795586?s=20 2. TechFreedom: https://techfreedom.org/draft-social-media-bias-executive-order-would-create-real-internet-speech-police/ 3. Public Knowledge: https://www.publicknowledge.org/press-release/public-knowledge-responds-to-white-house-proposal-to-require-ftc-fcc-to-monitor-speech-on-social-media/ ((Another email I received today. As stressful as it is to be bombarded with these kinds of things, it’s still important to know it’s happening and to spread the word. I hope we all can prevent this from happening by sharing and protesting this course of action.)) 

[mostlysignssomeportents]

#5yrsago EFF files huge lawsuit against NSA on behalf of broad coalition

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has filed suit against the NSA for its surveillance program on behalf of a wide, diverse set of actors, from the  First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles to the  Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Calguns Foundation, Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, People for the American Way, and TechFreedom.

https://boingboing.net/2013/07/16/eff-files-huge-lawsuit-against.html

[sciencespies]

Op-Ed | Who wants to step up to a $10 billion risk?

https://sciencespies.com/space/op-ed-who-wants-to-step-up-to-a-10-billion-risk/

Op-Ed | Who wants to step up to a $10 billion risk?

International space law and the treaty regime have remained largely theoretical constructs for most of the Space Age. While great for moot-court exercises or the occasional congressional hearing on treaty obligations, their real-world applications were scarce. Yet those of us who have practiced commercial space law have long warned that a time would come when “Space Law 101” would play an important part in opening the high frontier.

That time is now. The FCC faces a decision that goes beyond whether to grant AST & Science a “market access” request for a new constellation of non-geostationary spacecraft in the crowded 700-kilometer orbit. Far more important is whether the FCC will require companies seeking authority to operate in the United States to be licensed by countries which agree to be bound by the norms of international space law.

The AST & Science application itself is problematic enough, with its 243 gigantic satellites each with a cross-section of 900 square meters, or a third of a football field. NASA initially filed a report raising significant concerns with this application, arguing that the number and size of the satellites in the AST constellation posed a significant risk and would cause NASA to “experience a very large number of satellite conjunctions, certainly with debris objects and potentially with A-Train satellites themselves, both as part of the AST satellites’ ascent/descent to on-orbit locations and during regular operations.”

TechFreedom filed comments raising similar concerns, adding that AST & Science has zero experience building large structures in space.

But the greater problem is that rather than seek a license directly from the FCC for their enormous satellites, AST & Science got a license for its system from Papua New Guinea (PNG). This is more than a “flag of convenience” situation, however, as PNG has signed neither the 1971 Liability Convention nor the 1974 Registration Convention. While PNG has signed the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST), those latter two treaties are what put actual “meat on the bone” of the OST. Choosing not to sign these leaves PNG outside of the sphere of countries which have agreed to both norms of governance and resolution procedures for outer space disputes.

In short, PNG has not stepped up to accept specific international responsibility or liability for the activities of commercial entities it has licensed. Under the Liability Convention, countries agree to be liable for any damages caused in space “due to its fault or the fault of persons for whom it is responsible.” AST & Science recently admitted to the FCC that PNG has not “acceded” to the Registration Convention but claimed that PNG would voluntarily register the constellation. This narrative brushes over the fact that voluntarily registering the constellation, which PNG has only done once previously, isn’t the same as taking legal responsibility for it.

PNG has in no way assumed the potentially huge liability of a collision. To put this in perspective, PNG’s entire governmental budget is less than $6 billion, and its entire gross domestic product (GDP) is roughly $25 billion. The value of the satellites in the 700-kilometer orbit easily exceeds $10 billion. AST & Science’s request is much like asking the United States to shoulder a $10 trillion dollar risk — half the U.S. GDP of $21 trillion.

Who, then, will shoulder the risk of the liability? Is the United States going to step into PNG’s shoes and absorb that risk?

I have been critical of the FCC in the past in its decisions to authorize or extend satellite licenses in the face of demonstrable orbital debris risk, as opposed to the ginned-up allegations of companies seeking to slow down new competitors. Here, the FCC is asking all the right questions, and unless PNG is willing to accept international liability, or AST & Science seeks a license from a country willing to abide by international space norms, the FCC should not grant the market access request.

We live in exciting times where satellite systems are being developed and launched at an exponential rate. But we can’t proceed at that pace without requiring all players to observe international norms of conduct. That’s what “Space Law 101” is all about, and we shouldn’t abandon it now.

James E. Dunstan serves as General Counsel for TechFreedom as well as operating his own private practice at Mobius Legal Group, and has represented innovative space companies for nearly 40 years.

#Space