What would Lindbergh do?

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/opinions/case-for-against-criminalizing/

The Case For and Against Criminalizing Ransomware

… Another related subject that has been at the forefront of debate in recent months is the contentious issue of ransomware payments. If companies are compliant, the excessive demands of hackers can be financially crippling. If they refuse, stolen data becomes vulnerable to public exposure and businesses can be subject to penalties from data protection authorities, as well as suffering reputational damage. With ransomware attacks skyrocketing, companies are increasingly turning to cyber insurance policies to recoup money paid to ransomware gangs. Unfortunately, this has created the perfect storm. Cyber-criminals are emboldened to launch ransomware attacks in the knowledge that many businesses now hold insurance policies. It has become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy – a vicious cycle. Unfortunately, ransomware is modern cybercrime’s killer tactic, so this problem is only going to get worse.

… Let’s first look at the reasons why ransomware payments should be made illegal. First, the obvious. Ransomware payments essentially fund cybercrime, and this is why ransomware attacks are becoming more common

… On the other hand, criminalizing the victim seems highly counter intuitive.

(Related) Good luck.

https://www.makeuseof.com/doj-formed-new-taskforce-ransomware/

The DOJ Has Formed a New Taskforce to Tackle Ransomware

… According to the Wall Street Journal, the DOJ's task force will seek to break up the efforts of ransomware attackers. In an internal memo, Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin said that ransomware poses both an economic threat and a threat to "the safety and health of Americans."

The Wall Street Journal report notes that:

The memo calls for developing a strategy that targets the entire criminal ecosystem around ransomware, including prosecutions, disruptions of ongoing attacks and curbs on services that support the attacks, such as online forums that advertise the sale of ransomware or hosting services that facilitate ransomware campaigns.

Perspective.

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/02/7-of-americans-dont-use-the-internet-who-are-they/

7% of Americans don’t use the internet. Who are they?

… Today, 25% of adults ages 65 and older report never going online, compared with much smaller shares of adults under the age of 65.

… Some 14% of adults with a high school education or less do not use the internet, but that share falls as the level of educational attainment increases.

Cool or creepy? Harry Potter-esque?

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-myheritages-ai-tool-animate-old-photos/

How to Use MyHeritage's AI Tool to Animate Old Photos

MyHeritage's Deep Nostalgia tool can apply movement to old pictures, bringing your ancestors back to life.

… Deep Nostalgia is a tool created by the online genealogy platform, MyHeritage. It can bring your old photos to life by converting them into animations. The tool allows you to "see your ancestors from generations past like never before."

… MyHeritage allows you to create animations of up to five photos for free—you'll have to upgrade to a premium account if you wish to create more.

This seems to put some rigor behind my speculation.

https://threatresearch.ext.hp.com/web-of-profit-nation-state-report/

Nation States, Cyberconflict and the Web of Profit

… In addition to the analysis of nation state cyberattacks, the research also draws upon first-hand intelligence gathering from informants across the dark web and consultations with an expert panel of 50 leading practitioners in relevant fields (such as cybersecurity, intelligence, government, academia, and law enforcement). The findings paint a clear picture of escalations in tensions, supported by increasingly complex structures that intersect with the underground cybercrime economy – referred to as the Web of Profit.

… Into the Web of Profit is an academic study that was originally launched by Bromium in April of 2018 – Bromium was acquired by HP in September 2019. The report is sponsored by HP, and researched and written by Dr. Mike McGuire, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Surrey. Nation States, Cyberconflict and the Web of Profit is the fourth installment in the Web of Profit body of research. The findings contained in this report are the culmination of an analysis of known Nation State cyberattacks up to February 2021, alongside interviews with an expert panel of leading practitioners.

Download the report: Nation States, Cyberconflict and the Web of Profit

Download the infographic: Nation States, Cyberconflict and the Web of Profit Infographic

Must make sense to someone. All I can think of is a shell game to hide the agency that is currently doing the surveillance the FBI believes is too sensitive for them. Or maybe everyone thinks they have to be “doing something.”

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/23/usps-covert-program-postal-service-social-media

Outcry over US Postal Service reportedly tracking social media posts

The US Postal Service has reportedly been monitoring social media posts, with a focus on people planning protests.

The surveillance procedure, known as the Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP), tracks social media activity that it describes as “inflammatory” and shares that information to government agencies, according to a government bulletin from 16 March obtained by Yahoo News. The program is part of the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the law enforcement arm of the USPS.

The USPIS monitored social media accounts regarding planned protests occurring internationally and domestically on 20 March, when the World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy was scheduled to take place, according to the bulletin.

The information regarding the demonstrations against lockdown measures was distributed through Department of Homeland Security facilities. The agency collected information from Facebook, as well as other platforms used by rightwing extremist groups, such as Parler and Telegram.

… The agency told Yahoo News that Icop “assesses threats to Postal Service employees and its infrastructure by monitoring publicly available open source information.”

My algorithm says: You must send me lots of money.

https://thenextweb.com/news/study-shows-dangerous-simple-manipulate-voters-dating-ai

Study shows how dangerously simple it is to manipulate voters (and daters) with AI

A pair of researchers, Ujué Agudo and Helena Matute of Universidad de Deusto in Spain, recently published a fascinating study demonstrating how easy it is to influence humans with algorithms.

The basic takeaway from the work is that people tend to do what the algorithm says. Whether they’re being influenced to vote for a specific candidate based on an algorithmic recommendation or being funneled toward the perfect date on an app, we’re dangerously easy to influence with basic psychology and rudimentary AI.

Perspective.

https://www.bespacific.com/investigation-and-prosecution-of-capitol-attack-will-likely-be-one-of-largest-in-american-history/

Investigation and prosecution of Capitol Attack will likely be one of the largest in American history

Case 1:21-cr-00303-ABJ Filed 04/22/21 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA vs MICHAEL JOSEPH RUSYN, Defendant

“…The investigation and prosecution of the Capitol Attack will likely be one of the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence. Over 400 individuals have been charged in connection with the Capitol Attack. The investigation continues and the government expects that at least one hundred additional individuals will be charged. While most of the cases have been brought against individual defendants, the government is also investigating conspiratorial activity that occurred prior to and on January 6, 2021. The spectrum of crimes charged and under investigation in connection with the Capitol Attack includes (but is not limited to) trespass, engaging in disruptive or violent conduct in the Capitol or on Capitol grounds, destruction of government property, theft of government property, assaults on federal and local police officers, firearms offenses, civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, possession and use of destructive devices, and conspiracy. Defendants charged and under investigation come from throughout the United States, and a combined total of over 900 search warrants have been executed in almost all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the response to the Capitol Attack, which included officers and agents from U.S. Capitol Police, the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Secret Service, the United States Park Police, the Virginia State Police, the Arlington County Police Department, the Prince William County Police Department, the Maryland State Police, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police. Documents and evidence accumulated in the Capitol Attack investigation thus far include: (a) more than 15,000 hours of surveillance and body-worn camera footage from multiple law enforcement agencies; (b) approximately 1,600 electronic devices; (c) the results of hundreds of searches of electronic communication providers; (d) over 210,000 tips, of which a substantial portion include video, photo and social media; and (e) over 80,000 reports and 93,000 attachments related to law enforcement interviews of suspects and witnesses and other investigative steps. As the Capitol Attack investigation is still on-going, the number of defendants charged and the volume of potentially discoverable materials will only continue to grow. In short, even in cases involving a single defendant, the volume of discoverable materials is likely to be significant…”

Move along little student.

https://www.wyff4.com/article/rossen-reports-tricks-to-land-a-new-job-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/36202129#

Rossen Reports: Tricks to land a job in the age of artificial intelligence

… how can you make sure your application gets to the top of the pile? We're getting advice straight from the experts.

Let's start with your resume. CareerBuilder CEO Irina Novoselsky says artificial intelligence will open the job search up for you behind the scenes. "It's no longer based on 'have you done it' but it now is based on 'can you do it'?" says Novoselsky. Computers can take your skillset and match you with jobs that match closely to what you can do. Websites like CareerBuilder can then offer you job openings at other companies or in other fields.

Tips for your resume:

Tips for your interview:

Where should we draw the line? If a “ban” meant we could not identify the people who stormed the capital, would that be too far?

https://www.vice.com/en/article/k78qyy/fourth-amendment-is-not-for-sale-act-would-ban-clearview-and-warrantless-location-data-purchases

'Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act' Would Ban Clearview and Warrantless Location Data Purchases

A sweeping proposed piece of legislation with support from both Democrats and Republicans will ban law enforcement agencies from buying data from controversial firm Clearview AI, as well as force agencies to obtain a warrant before sourcing location data from brokers.

A new sin?

https://www.washington.edu/news/2021/04/21/a-growing-problem-of-deepfake-geography-how-ai-falsifies-satellite-images/

A growing problem of ‘deepfake geography’: How AI falsifies satellite images

A fire in Central Park seems to appear as a smoke plume and a line of flames in a satellite image. Colorful lights on Diwali night in India, seen from space, seem to show widespread fireworks activity.

Both images exemplify what a new University of Washington-led study calls “location spoofing.” The photos — created by different people, for different purposes — are fake but look like genuine images of real places. And with the more sophisticated AI technologies available today, researchers warn that such “deepfake geography” could become a growing problem.

… “This isn’t just Photoshopping things. It’s making data look uncannily realistic,” said Bo Zhao, assistant professor of geography at the UW and lead author of the study, which published April 21 in the journal Cartography and Geographic Information Science. “The techniques are already there. We’re just trying to expose the possibility of using the same techniques, and of the need to develop a coping strategy for it.”

Are we the tortoise or the hare? I haven’t see slow, steady progress nor have I seen a jack rabbit start.

https://www.axios.com/regulate-ai-artificial-intelligence-9afe3bd9-65c1-434a-a9de-59019ff8fd9b.html

The global race to regulate AI

On Wednesday, the EU revealed a detailed proposal on how AI should be regulated, banning some uses outright and defining which uses of AI are deemed "high-risk."

(Related) The first of (I’m sure) many attempta to analyze the Act.

https://www.politico.eu/article/6-key-battles-europes-ai-law-artificial-intelligence-act/

6 key battles ahead for Europe’s AI law

The European Commission has unveiled its new rulebook for artificial intelligence, a power play that seals the bloc's reputation as a global rulemaker for tech.

Now comes the hard part — convincing lawmakers, lobbyists and national politicians that its Artificial Intelligence Act is fit for purpose and won't hobble innovation or hurt fundamental rights.

1. Bans, and how they are worded

2. Defining 'high-risk'

3. Conformity assessments

4. A new AI board

5. Parliamentary scrutiny

6. Negotiations with Council

Perspective. I think this is becoming a trend. Lots of related articles.

https://thenextweb.com/news/12-us-states-biden-ban-combustion-washington-california?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNextWeb+%28The+Next+Web+All+Stories%29

12 US states call for Biden to ban combustion cars from 2035

Get a load of this. America is finally coming down hard on combustion engine vehicles.

Governors of 12 US states are campaigning for President Biden to take a leaf out of California and Washington’s play book, and ban combustion engined cars by 2035.

Tools. Because I run into so many PDFs.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-powerful-chrome-tools-for-all-your-pdf-needs/

10 Powerful Google Chrome PDF Extensions and Apps

If you are a Chrome user, there are several extensions and apps that are quite useful. From viewing and editing, to merging and splitting, there is a PDF tool here for almost anything you need.

A legal issue no one had ever noticed before?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/21/case-launched-against-tiktok-over-collection-of-childrens-data

Case launched against TikTok over collection of children’s data

A former children’s commissioner for England has launched a “landmark case” against the video-sharing app TikTok, alleging that it illegally collects the personal information of its child users.

Anne Longfield, who held the commissioner post between March 2015 and February this year, has lodged a claim in the high court on behalf of millions of children in the UK and the European Economic Area who have used TikTok since 25 March 2018.

She alleges the app is breaching UK and EU children’s data protection law and aims to stop it processing the information of millions of children, make it delete all such existing data and pay compensation she believes could run into billions of pounds.

Despite a minimum age requirement of 13, Ofcom found last year that 42% of UK eight to 12-year-olds used TikTok.

… Longfield, who is bringing the case as a representative action for those who claim to have suffered harm, said TikTok’s business model with respect to personal data was “disproportionate”, adding: “Kids can’t give consent.” She believed the case could be a landmark in establishing a framework for social media companies’ responsibilities towards children and families.

Another biometric.

https://gizmodo.com/whole-foods-launching-amazon-palm-reader-payment-system-1846728745?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4

Whole Foods Launching Amazon Palm Reader Payment System in Seattle

Whole Foods will launch a palm reader payment system at its Madison Broadway location in Seattle today and has plans to roll out the biometric program at seven more stores in the coming months, according to an announcement early Wednesday.

The electronic palm readers, known as Amazon One, allow people to pay for everything in their cart with a swipe of their hand, provided they’ve registered for the service with Amazon. The tech was previously only being used in brick and mortar stores from Amazon, the corporate owner of Whole Foods.

Either AI is not yet ready for ‘prime time’ or companies are not implementing it correctly.

https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/20/only-6-of-organizations-have-adopted-ai-powered-solutions-study-finds/

Only 6% of companies have adopted AI, study finds

In a new survey of over 700 C-suite executives and IT decision-makers examining AI adoption in the enterprise, Juniper Networks found that 95% of respondents believe their organization would benefit from embedding AI into their daily operations. However, only 6% of those respondents reported adoption of AI-powered solutions across their business.

The findings agree with other surveys showing that, despite enthusiasm around AI, companies struggle to deploy AI-powered services in production. Enterprise use of AI grew a whopping 270% over the past several years, Gartner recently reported, while Deloitte says 62% of respondents to its corporate October 2018 study adopted some form of AI, up from 53% in 2019. But adoption doesn’t always meet with success, as the roughly 25% of businesses that have seen half their AI projects fail will tell you.

Support for AI or something else entirely? Will the US ‘have to’ do the same?

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3130338/china-starts-large-scale-testing-its-internet-future

China starts large-scale testing of its internet of the future

China launched a large-scale experimental network in Beijing on Tuesday to test the future of internet technology over the next five to 10 years.

Headquartered at Tsinghua University, the “future internet technology infrastructure” connects 40 of the country’s leading research universities with huge bandwidth and far lower latency than the existing internet, according to state news agency Xinhua.

… When completed in 2023, the CENI facility will become a prototype “future internet” connecting to almost everything – from computers at home to cars on the street – for seamless communications in an AI-driven society.

Perspective.

https://thenextweb.com/news/60-of-the-world-is-online-10-big-takeaways-on-the-state-of-the-internet-in-2021?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNextWeb+%28The+Next+Web+All+Stories%29

60% of the world is online — 10 big takeaways on the state of the internet in 2021

The new Digital 2021 April Global Statshot Report – published in partnership between Hootsuite and We Are Social – reveals that more than 6 in 10 people on Earth now use the internet.

Internet users have grown by more than 330 million over the past year, reaching a total of more than 4.7 billion at the start of April 2021.

That’s not the only big story in this quarter’s report though; we also cover:

• a huge new milestone for social media growth;

• fascinating insights into the world’s “favorite” social media platforms;

• updated stats for worldwide TikTok use;

• a closer look at social media motivations; and

• fresh updates on the world’s evolving search behaviors.

… You’ll find the complete April 2021 Statshot report in the SlideShare embed below (click here if that’s not working for you), but read on past that to understand what all these numbers mean for you.

More productive lawyers? Frightening! I’m looking for some Privacy maps…

https://www.bespacific.com/map-engine-visually-charts-the-legal-world/

Map Engine Visually Charts the Legal World

Artificial Lawyer – “A new product, Map Engine, created by Ryan McClead’s Sente Advisors and Nicole Bradick’s Theory and Principle, allows lawyers to quickly visualise multi-jurisdictional data. It’s another example of the growing interest in using visualisation tools in the legal sector. Initially this is focused on using a map of the US, but other areas are planned, including: Canada and Europe, and also a map based around US Federal District courts. As the two legal tech consultancies explained: ‘Map Engine is a tool that allows users to easily upload a spreadsheet containing jurisdictional data and instantly generate a beautiful interactive map visualisation. ‘The user is provided both a link to a unique URL to share the map and a code snippet to embed the map in their websites, blog posts, or client portals. Maps can be secured with a passcode or made available publicly.’ Given how visually-based this all is the one-minute video below is useful…”

With all the expertise of government bureaucracies?

https://thenextweb.com/news/ftc-warns-companies-to-be-held-accountable-for-racist-algorithms-or-regulator-will-do-it-for-them?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNextWeb+%28The+Next+Web+All+Stories%29

US companies need to hold themselves accountable for racist algorithms — or the FTC will do it for them

The US Federal Trade Commission has issued a stark warning to companies using sexist and racist algorithms: hold yourself accountable — or the regulator will do it for you.

An official blog post by staff attorney Elisa Jilson noted that the FTC Act prohibits the sale or use of racially biased algorithms.

Jilson added that it’s illegal to use biased algorithms that lead to credit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because a person receives public assistance.

Jilson expressly warned companies not to exaggerate what their algorithms do and whether they deliver fair results. Those that can’t back up their claims with evidence are violating FTC rules.

How to torture my students.

https://www.cpomagazine.com/general/essay-assignments-ranked-from-the-most-daunting-to-the-easiest-one/

Essay Assignments Ranked: From the Most Daunting To the Easiest One

Writing assignments come in different shapes or forms in college. The majority of them are going to be in an essay form, but there are several types of them. Some are easier and others require much more work and dedication to complete.

Based on the students’ reviews and professional advice from essay writers writing service, this ranking was created. Here are the most common essay assignments ranked – from the most daunting to the easiest one.

Persuasive essay

This type is arguably the most daunting as it requires very strong analytical skills as well as knowledge of persuasive theory. The main goal is not only to find your perspective on the subject but persuade the readers or listeners in your point of view.

A writer needs to find the best arguments with strong supporting evidence. But they should be also given in a specific form. It means that the student needs to appeal to Logos, Pathos, and Ethos – the main means of persuasion in Classical Rhetoric.

It makes formulation arguments quite difficult as they need to appeal to logic, ethics, and emotion of the reader or listener. Overall, this type of essay is extremely hard for the majority of students and takes a lot of time to craft.

The Privacy Foundation encourages you to save Friday, April 30^th 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for the 2021 Virtual (via Zoom) Spring Seminar: US State and EU Privacy Developments. The panel experts will delve into the impact of the CCPA and the GDPR since they were initiated. CLE credit has been awarded. Please register by clicking on the link below.

US State and EU Privacy Developments Registration

This spring’s panelists include Tyler Thompson, of GreenbergTraurig, Arielle Brown, of Hogan Lovells US LP, Bob Sprague, Professor of Business Law, University of Wyoming, and Camila Tobón, of Davis Graham and Stubbs LLP.

Please visit the Privacy Foundation Website to find links to articles for the seminar:  https://www.law.du.edu/privacy-foundation

Keep up!

https://www.pogowasright.org/status-of-proposed-ccpa-like-state-privacy-legislation-as-of-april-19-2021/

Status Of Proposed CCPA-Like State Privacy Legislation As of April 19, 2021

Keypoint: This week Florida’s two bills continued to progress, the Washington Privacy Act failed to pass out of the House at the deadline (but the bill sponsor says it is still alive), new bills were introduced in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and Maryland’s bill died.

David Strauss of Husch Blackwell LLP writes:

Below is our eighth weekly update on the status of proposed CCPA-like privacy legislation. Before we get to our update, we wanted to provide two reminders.

First, we have been regularly updating our 2021 State Privacy Law Tracker to keep pace with the latest developments. We encourage you to bookmark the page for easy reference.

What’s New

In Washington, the Washington Privacy Act (WPA) failed to pass the House by the April 11 deadline. However, on April 12, Senator Carlyle (the primary author of the WPA) tweeted that the “bill remains alive through the end of the session.” Nonetheless, no public movement on the WPA took place this past week and the legislature will close on April 25.

In Florida, HB 969 passed out of the Commerce Committee on April 14 and was given a first reading on April 15. Its counterpart, SB 1734, passed out of the Rules Committee on April 6, and has been placed on the calendar for a second reading in the Senate. The Florida legislature adjourns on April 30.

In Alaska, HB 159 is set for a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce Committee on April 23.

Lawmakers introduced new bills in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Finally, Maryland’s legislature closed on April 12 without passing its proposed bill.

Read more on JDSupra.

When you can see no way to use a tool ethically? When not using it means some bad guys go free?

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/548932-pressure-mounts-on-dhs-to-stop-using-clearview-ai-facial-recognition

Pressure mounts on DHS to stop using Clearview AI facial recognition

Pressure is mounting on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discontinue — or at least clarify — its relationship with Clearview AI, a controversial facial recognition company best known for scraping billions of images of people from social media sites.

A coalition of nearly 70 immigrant rights, civil liberties and privacy groups called on the agency to “immediately stop” using the company’s technology in a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday that was first shared with The Hill.

Clearview AI provides software that can identify and provide information about individuals using images of their faces. The technology is marketed to law enforcement but has also been used by private organizations like the NBA

(Related)

https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-banks-deploy-ai-monitor-customers-workers-amid-tech-backlash-2021-04-19/

U.S. banks deploy AI to monitor customers, workers amid tech backlash

Several U.S. banks have started deploying camera software that can analyze customer preferences, monitor workers and spot people sleeping near ATMs, even as they remain wary about possible backlash over increased surveillance, more than a dozen banking and technology sources told Reuters.

Previously unreported trials at City National Bank of Florida and JPMorgan Chase & Co as well as earlier rollouts at banks such as Wells Fargo & Co offer a rare view into the potential U.S. financial institutions see in facial recognition and related artificial intelligence systems.

Widespread deployment of such visual AI tools in the heavily regulated banking sector would be a significant step toward their becoming mainstream in corporate America.

Bobby Dominguez, chief information security officer at City National, said smartphones that unlock via a face scan have paved the way.

Isn’t it too early to make such a claim?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/technology/global-tipping-point-tech.html

A Global Tipping Point for Reining In Tech Has Arrived

China fined the internet giant Alibaba a record $2.8 billion this month for anticompetitive practices, ordered an overhaul of its sister financial company and warned other technology firms to obey Beijing’s rules.

Now the European Commission plans to unveil far-reaching regulations to limit technologies powered by artificial intelligence.

And in the United States, President Biden has stacked his administration with trustbusters who have taken aim at Amazon, Facebook and Google.

Around the world, governments are moving simultaneously to limit the power of tech companies with an urgency and breadth that no single industry had experienced before. Their motivation varies. In the United States and Europe, it is concern that tech companies are stifling competition, spreading misinformation and eroding privacy; in Russia and elsewhere, it is to silence protest movements and tighten political control; in China, it is some of both.

Knowledge is power. Is their use of social media unlike anyone else’s?

https://www.bespacific.com/the-domestic-extremist-next-door/

The Domestic Extremist Next Door

The Domestic Extremist Next Door by Erin Dauphinais-Soos · April 19, 2021 “How have digital media platforms contributed to anti-government rhetoric? Digital Citizens Alliance and Coalition for a Safer Web teamed up to answer this question in their report, “The Domestic Extremist Next Door.” [56-page PDF] The report analyzes some of the most popular social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok) and how domestic terrorists use them to promote disinformation and recruit members. The extremist groups this report focuses on are QAnon, the Proud Boys, the Boogaloo Bois, the Three Percenters, and the Oath Keepers, comparing their online activities to those of global terrorists such as ISIS. The report concludes with suggestions of actions that digital media platforms can take to combat disinformation and confront terrorism, such as hiring more people to “do deep dives looking at just what is happening amongst militia groups,” initiating “industry-wide standards” and creating “a cross-platform, information-sharing initiative.”

Is this a war we can stop? Probably not. Is it a war we will have to participate in?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/satellite-images-show-russias-expanding-ukraine-buildup-11618917238

Satellite Images Show Russia’s Expanding Ukraine Buildup

Russia has moved warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine to an extent greater than has previously been disclosed, adding to its capability for political intimidation or military intervention, according to commercial satellite photos of areas being used for the military buildup.

The photos, which were reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, show Su-30 fighters lined up on a runway at an air base in Crimea. The aircraft, which are shown in a satellite photo from April 16, hadn’t been there in late March.

Other Russian military units on the Crimean peninsula include airborne troops, motorized rifle and armored units, attack helicopters, smoke generators, reconnaissance drones, jamming equipment and a military hospital, the photos indicate.

Even an old blogger?

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2021/04/tools-to-help-students-analyze-their.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+freetech4teachers/cGEY+(Free+Technology+for+Teachers)

Tools to Help Students Analyze Their Own Writing

Something for my International students?

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/no-us-phone-number-best-free-apps-calling-to-usa/

The 5 Best Free Calling Apps for Making Free Phone Calls

Here are the best apps to get a free US number to call the US and Canada for free from anywhere in the world.

Each of these apps assigns you a free phone number (typically in the US) that you can use to call or text any other American number, and it will behave like you are in the US. They will not use your cell minutes or SMS text messages.

I think we really need to talk about this…

https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/19/ncsc_exchange_server_legal_powers_question/

Brit authorities could legally do an FBI and scrub malware from compromised boxen without your knowledge

UK authorities could lawfully copy the FBI and forcibly remove web shells from compromised Microsoft Exchange server deployments – but some members of the British infosec industry are remarkably quiet about whether this would be a good thing.

In the middle of last week the American authorities made waves after deleting web shells from Exchange Server deployments compromised in the Hafnium attacks. The agency had gone to the US federal courts for permission, which it received.

The entire infosec world had been bellowing at IT admins to update and mitigate the vulns, which were being exploited by skilled and malicious people who found the remote-code-execution bug. Nonetheless, some laggards still hadn't bothered – and with compromised boxen providing a useful base for criminals to launch further attacks from, evidently the FBI felt the wider risk was too great not to step in.

Worth a read… Also available as an audio file.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/04/26/the-incredible-rise-of-north-koreas-hacking-army

The Incredible Rise of North Korea’s Hacking Army

The country’s cyber forces have raked in billions of dollars for the regime by pulling off schemes ranging from A.T.M. heists to cryptocurrency thefts. Can they be stopped?

I wondered if this would be the result. Predictive policing needs to be a bit more scientific. And schools a bit more thoughtful.

https://www.pogowasright.org/feds-investigating-pasco-schools-giving-student-data-to-sheriff/

Feds investigating Pasco schools giving student data to sheriff

Kathleen McGrory and Natalie Weber report:

The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into whether the Pasco school district broke federal law by sharing private student information with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

The Tampa Bay Times reported in November that the school district shared information on student grades, discipline and attendance with the Sheriff’s Office, which used the data to compile a secret list of schoolchildren it believed could “fall into a life of crime.”

Read more on The Tampa Bay Times.

Covid and privacy? Will you need this card to fly? Cross state lines? Enter government buildings?

https://www.bespacific.com/all-about-your-coronavirus-vaccine-card-and-what-to-do-if-you-lose-it/

All about your coronavirus vaccine card (and what to do if you lose it)

Washington Post – “There are various ways to document that you received a coronavirus vaccine. Some people have snapped selfies proudly displaying the Band-Aid on their upper arm. Some vaccination sites are handing out stickers. But the official form of documentation is the small white vaccination record card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which you receive after your first shot. “You do want to make sure you keep it safe,” says Kelly Moore, deputy director of the Immunization Action Coalition. “You do want to make a copy of it and keep that on file, not because it’s the only record, but because it’s the one that you control.” Here’s what Moore and other experts say you need to know about the cards and what you should do after receiving one…”

See also PC World – How to protect your COVID vaccination card digitally: Dos and don’ts

Perspective.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/uk-launches-taskforce-potential-bank-england-digital-currency-sunak-2021-04-19/

'Britcoin' not bitcoin? UK considers new digital currency

British finance minister Rishi Sunak told the Bank of England on Monday to look at the case for a new "Britcoin", or central bank-backed digital currency, aimed at tackling some of the challenges posed by cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.

A BoE-backed digital version of sterling would potentially allow businesses and consumers to hold accounts directly with the bank and to sidestep others when making payments, upending the lenders' role in the financial system.

… Other central banks are also looking at whether to set up digital versions of their own currencies, essentially widening access to central bank funds which only commercial banks can use at present. This could speed up domestic and foreign payments and reduce financial stability risks.

I suspect this is true for more than retail…

https://instoremag.com/most-small-business-owners-are-missing-this-biggest-benefits-of-the-internet/

Most Small Business Owners Are Missing This Biggest Benefits of The Internet

… The first opportunity is the most obvious: the use of data for analysis that can lead to better decision-making. You already have a wealth of data available to you through Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, your Shopify store, email marketing system, and social media channels. With a third-party app like Whatagraph (easy) or Morphio (intermediate), you can feed your data from all those channels into one system and produce automatic, easy-to-read reports on any schedule you like. When you see a data pattern or trend, that’s a clue to start asking questions, like why is this happening? Or, what can we do to increase a good trend or reverse a bad one?