I strongly suspect this story is an attempt to CYA for any damage resulting from the OPM data breach. I realize this story is about British intelligence agents - and the data breach occurred within the US gov - but the US & UK work hand-in-hand on many issues + the people who eat this story up aren't going to think too critically about these points...
There's a more pragmatic (not in a good way) side to it: any amendments would either send the bill back to the House and/or force a conference on this legislation.
Apparently Bob Menendez added this provision as a parting shot against the Administration for indicting him on corruption charges - which may or may not be retaliation for Menendez's support for more sanctions during the Iran nuclear negotiations. Better the elites fight with one another than we the people, I suppose...
The EFF and ACLU submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiff (Radiance). It's not as newsworthy as the ruling itself but it's further proof - as much as some groups refuse to acknowledge - that the ACLU will defend christians, conservatives, etc when their rights are infringed.
"...It would not end bulk collection of call data," McConnell said, referring to the provision of the Patriot Act that the NSA says justifies its bulk data sweeps.
The only time pols are thoroughly honest with us is when we're going to be screwed over.
Kreps examined poll data and found that if respondents are confronted with evidence of errors and civilian casualties in some drone strikes, support for the strikes drops below a majority
Mike, I think you need to have some sensitivity towards readers with psychological trauma over cell tower spoofers. You should put a "TRIGGERFISH WARNING" in your title!
If a half-baked reform bill is made law, it's going to convince people wrongly that the problem is over, when at best it's just been painted over with a think veneer of reform. Check out the analysis by Marcy Wheeler - who is pretty convinced this is a gambit by Mitch McConnell.
"We all love the benefit of the internet and all the rest of it, but we need [technology companies'] support in making sure that they're doing everything possible to stop their technology being exploited by terrorists. I'm saying that needs to be front and centre of their thinking and for some it is and some it isn't."
Know what would help? NOT inserting vulnerabilities and going public with any exploits that are uncovered in < 48 hrs. Bruce Schneier said it best:
We have a choice between an Internet that is vulnerable to all attackers, or an Internet that is safe from all attackers. And a safe and secure Internet is in everyone's best interests, including the US's
On the post: The Pulitzer Prize In Bullshit FUD Reporting Goes To... The Sunday Times For Its 'Snowden Expose'
On the post: Lawyers Threaten SomethingAwful For Using Photo In Movie Review
On the post: Senators Introduce Legislation Calling For Mandatory Data Collection On Police-Involved Shootings
"Mandatory Data Collection"
On the post: Mitch McConnell Pushing Bad Amendments To Block Any Useful Amendments On Surveillance Reform
On the post: Senate Fails To Pass Both USA Freedom And PATRIOT Act Extension, Setting Up Possible Expiration Of Section 215
Re: Shrug
...did I just really reference Batman & Robin? I think I'll go hide now.
On the post: Senate Fails To Pass Both USA Freedom And PATRIOT Act Extension, Setting Up Possible Expiration Of Section 215
Re: On top of that...
On the post: Paper Says Public Doesn't Know How To Keep Score In Privacy Discussion While Glossing Over Government Surveillance
On the post: Appeals Court Rightly Overturns NAACP's Successful Attempt To Censor Speech Via Trademark Law
On the post: UK Government Review Says Use Prizes, Not Patents, To Produce Much-Needed New Antibiotics
On the post: UK Plans To Do Away With Free Speech... In The Name Of Free Speech
Re:
On the post: These Clueless Politicians Are The Ones Determining If The NSA Gets To Keep Spying On All Of Us
At Least He's Honest
On the post: DailyDirt: Braiiins... And Brain Implants
On the post: New York Times Publishes Name Of CIA's Drone Strike 'Architect' While Other Media Outlets Pretend This Is Still Some Sort Of Secret
On the post: FBI Hands Over 5000 Pages Of Stingray Info To MuckRock, Redacts Nearly All Of It
Re:
On the post: FBI Hands Over 5000 Pages Of Stingray Info To MuckRock, Redacts Nearly All Of It
Re: Privileged
On the post: FBI Hands Over 5000 Pages Of Stingray Info To MuckRock, Redacts Nearly All Of It
Re:
On the post: FBI Hands Over 5000 Pages Of Stingray Info To MuckRock, Redacts Nearly All Of It
On the post: Law Enforcement's Cluelessness On Display In Congressional Hearing On Undermining Encryption
Re: On the bright side...
On the post: New Version Of USA Freedom Surveillance Reform Bill To Hit The House This Week
Bad Reform is Worse Than No Reform
On the post: Senior Police Officer Suggests Companies Allowing People To Use Strong Crypto Are 'Friendly To Terrorists'
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