Internet Voices
Flock Worker Calls Police on Reporter Filming in Public, Three Patrol Cars Respond
A Flock Safety worker called police on a reporter filming an installation in public, drawing three patrol cars. We trace the case and debate.
Tags: privacy
Internet Voices
EFF Report: Ad Libraries Covertly Leak Location Data from Apps
EFF's new report reveals ad libraries transmit user location data to third parties without app developers' knowledge.
AI
Amazon to Use Twitch Streams for AI Training by Default, Drawing Criticism Over Opt-Out Approach
Twitch announced it will use streamers' content for Amazon's generative AI training by default, drawing strong backlash over the opt-out approach.
Internet Voices
Surveillance Pricing: San Francisco Board of Supervisors Delays Vote on Supporting Bill
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has postponed voting to support California's AB 2654 bill banning surveillance pricing, following criticism from the Chamber of Commerce and an EFF letter urging reconsideration.
AI
AI Cameras in US Garbage Trucks Spark Debate Over Surveillance
A proposal in Florida to equip garbage trucks with AI cameras for monitoring code violations was shelved due to costs. As other cities move forward with similar systems, the fine line between public surveillance and administrative efficiency is under scrutiny.
Gadgets
Apple to Differentiate Its Smart Glasses with Privacy Features
Apple plans to launch its first smart glasses in 2027. By focusing on on-device processing and avoiding facial recognition, it aims to stand apart from Meta's privacy-challenged products.
AI
Surge in "Avoiding AI" Workshops at Libraries Reflects Growing Distrust in Big Tech
Libraries are seeing a spike in "Avoiding AI" workshops aimed at those wary of AI features by major tech companies. The movement highlights public resistance to mandatory AI integrations.
Internet Voices
Flock CEO Contradicts Himself on ALPR Video Feature, Clashing with Past Product Announcements
Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley claims the company's ALPR cameras only capture still images, despite repeated announcements offering video features.
AI
Police Drone Emergency Response Rapidly Expands Across the U.S., FAA Approvals Exceed 1,000
Police across the U.S. are accelerating the adoption of Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) programs. As of February 2026, over 1,000 public safety agencies have obtained FAA exemptions for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
Gadgets
Everyone Hates Elon Posts Fake Meta Glasses Ads at London Bus Stops to Criticize Privacy Issues
Activist group "Everyone Hates Elon" occupied two London bus stops with fake Meta smart glasses ads, using optical tricks to critique surveillance society.
Internet Voices
California Withdraws Proposal to Expand Age Verification Law
California legislature removes mandatory age verification for browsers and websites from A.B.1856. However, A.B.1043 still faces constitutional challenges.
Internet Voices
New York State Passes 3D Printer Monitoring Law, Risk of Spreading to Other States
New York becomes the first in the world to mandate monitoring and censorship features on all 3D printers. We analyze the law's content, its passage, and potential impacts on other states.
Internet Voices
EU Approves Chat Control: Warrantless Data Scanning Authorized
The EU Parliament has passed Chat Control 1.0, allowing companies to scan user data without a warrant. Encrypted communication remains exempt, with discussions on version 2.0 slated for September.
AI
Meta Developing Prototype of Always-On AI Glasses with "Super Sensing" Capabilities
Meta is working on a prototype of "super sensing" smart glasses capable of continuous audio recording and periodic photo capturing. The system, which processes only metadata without storing raw data, has sparked debates over privacy concerns.
Dev
Identifying Hackers with Windows GDID: The Reality of Telemetry Tracking
Windows GDID was used as evidence for the first time in the arrest of a Scattered Spider member. We analyze the technical details and privacy concerns of telemetry-based individual tracking.
Gadgets
New Laws in California and New York to Monitor 3D Printers for Gun Control
California and New York are advancing bills mandating 3D printers to include software that detects and blocks the production of gun parts. Concerns about technical feasibility and privacy violations are emerging.
AI
Google Uses Search Media for AI Training, Opt-Out Available in Settings
Google has started using media uploaded to its search services, such as images and audio, for AI training. Users can opt out via settings. A new point of contention over data collection.
AI
Privacy First: Meetily, the Open Source AI for Meetings
Introducing Meetily, an open-source AI meeting assistant that prioritizes privacy by processing data locally without sending it to external servers.
Internet Voices
Bitdefender VPN Review: Affordable Pricing and Ease of Use
A review of Bitdefender VPN. Its $35 first-year price and simplicity stand out, but it lacks advanced privacy features. Wired's rating: 7/10.
Dev
Debating Age Verification in the EU: Criticism, Privacy Concerns, and Technical Challenges
The EU's age verification system has drawn criticism over privacy concerns, but technologies like Zero-Knowledge Proof could resolve these issues without requiring ID submission. Many critiques are said to stem from ignorance or misunderstanding.
Gadgets
Commodore Slashes Price of Retro Phone Callback 8020 by $100
Commodore has reduced the price of its privacy-focused flip feature phone, the Callback 8020, by $100. All models, except the Founders Edition, are now priced at $399. This strategic price revision, enabled by the use of secondhand memory and the removal of standard earphones, raises questions about its implications.
Gadgets
PineVoice: A $50 RISC-V Smart Speaker
Pine64 releases the PineVoice smart speaker with a RISC-V processor for $50. Built on Home Assistant and privacy-focused, but lacks wake word detection.
Internet Voices
Canada’s Surveillance Bill C-22: A Dangerous Threat to Encryption Moves Forward
Canada’s surveillance bill, C-22 (Lawful Access Bill), is advancing toward passage with little debate. Major tech companies like Signal, Apple, and Google oppose it due to concerns over encryption backdoors, metadata storage mandates, and expanded information sharing with foreign governments.
Dev
U.S. Census Bureau Bans Noise Infusion from Statistical Products
The U.S. Department of Commerce has completely banned noise infusion (a core method of differential privacy) in statistical products from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This article explains the outcome of the controversy over the balance between accuracy and privacy.
Internet Voices
FISA Section 702: Warrant Requirement or Expiration — U.S. Surveillance Law at a Crossroads
With the reauthorization deadline for FISA Section 702 looming, EFF demands a warrant for FBI's warrantless searches of Americans' communications. A no-compromise stance.
Internet Voices
The Wave of US Social Media Ban Laws: Protecting Youth or Surveillance?
Bills to completely ban social media for youth are emerging across US states. EFF criticizes them as surveillance/censorship expansion and explains how to fight back.
Dev
Self-Hosting Email the Hard Way: Acquiring Your Own IPv4 Block
Cambridge professor refreshes Recoil infrastructure, operational since 1997. A detailed technical article explaining how to obtain your own routable IPv4 address block and improve email deliverability.