JamesBaker

JamesBaker, 9 months ago to privacy

So it appears the entire UK electoral roll has been hacked. That’s over 40million records of people’s name and addresses, and possibly email as well. They didn’t tell us for nine months either! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66441010 #privacy #UK

JamesBaker, 9 months ago to privacy

Looks like the new Zoom ToS include using data generated through using their product for ‘machine learning or artificial intelligence (including for the purposes of training and tuning of algorithms and models)’ https://explore.zoom.us/en/terms/. Might be time to look at alternatives like https://meet.hit.si/ #privacy #zoom #termsofservice #fediverse

JamesBaker, 7 months ago to Bulgaria

So it turns out Europol want the access to all the data that would be collected under plans to scan messages for CSAM. Confirming worst fears that child abuse is being used as an excuse for routine mass surveillance of all images and messages https://balkaninsight.com/2023/09/29/europol-sought-unlimited-data-access-in-online-child-sexual-abuse-regulation/ . #surveillance #eu #privacy

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to privacy

Lots of people saying they will get a VPN to avoid the UK’s online safety bill. I can see it won’t be long until so called democracies start cracking down on them too. If I were a VPN provider I’d be happy at the short term boom but very worried about medium and long-term legislative environment #onlinesafetybill #vpn #privacy

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to random

Three positives about the UK’s debate on encryption.

1. Public acknowledgment that the technology to scan private messages doesn’t exist and isn’t in a workable situation.

2. Recognition thst OFCOM will have to consider the impact on journalists and their sources if they can’t access secure E2EE messaging systems.

3. Repeated statements that powers can only be used if compatibility me with privacy rights and recognition of these rights. #onlinesafetybill

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to random

It’s welcome the UK Government has acknowledged the technical issues around their plans to scan E2EE messaging. As reported widely in article like this https://www.wired.com/story/britain-admits-defeat-online-safety-bill-encryption/ #encryption #onlinesafetybill

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to random

With both message scanning on the cards in the UK and a war on encryption + live facial recognition being touted its hard not to feel like we are taking another step down the surveillance dystopia path. So much of UK discourse is safety driven though. Seems hard to make a freedom based case.

JamesBaker, 2 months ago to random

One thing to note in the Rochdale by-election result was it appeared that Galloway was using data to target people based on protected characteristics. This would be a breach of the data protection act. It appears to me like they had custom filters for this setup on the EARS electoral software. With growing sectarianism in British politics using data to target people like this will only increase divisions. #election #data #rochdale

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to random

Liberty is complicated to assess with both positive and negative forms. I do think when it comes to online freedom of speech we are going to see the US constitution act as a defender of liberty. Meanwhile in both Oz and UK we see this drift towards ‘safety first, freedom second’ approach to online regulation. The UK common law traidtion increasingly seems a weak safeguard for liberty, will US actually become more a land of the free?

JamesBaker, 7 months ago to random

Was just in the post office and overheard a lady saying she was trying to use cash more so they don’t take it away from us. Anecdotally it seems a growing concern among people that this might happen.

JamesBaker, 10 months ago to random

Quite a few people reporting that twitter has wrongly flagging their account as spam and imposing restrictions on them.

JamesBaker, 4 months ago to random

I’m glad the Post Office scandal is getting attention but society seems broken it requires a docudrama about an issue before any action is taken.

JamesBaker, 10 months ago to random

A legal opnion from Dan Squires KC of Matrix states the UK’s Online Safety Bill would be unlawful due to its restrictions on freedom of expression and its censorship. https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/legal-opinion-finds-online-safety-bill-may-breach-international-law/

JamesBaker, 1 year ago to random

Wikipedia says it won’t comply with UK online safety bill requirements for age verification. Pleased to see then pushing back against Government’s attempt to control a free internet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65388255

JamesBaker, 10 months ago to privacy

In case you missed it. Meredith at @signalapp was excellent at setting out the problems with UK Gov’s plans to back door end-to-end encryption. If you haven’t done already please support @openrightsgroup campaign on this https://action.openrightsgroup.org/dont-scan-me #encryption #privacy #onlinesafetybill

video/mp4

JamesBaker, 15 hours ago to random

Looks like the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill is dead and not going into wash up

JamesBaker, 8 months ago to privacy

Well well Australia appears to be struggling to implement age verification. Do we think somehow Ofcom and the UK will succeed where others are failing? https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/31/roadmap-for-age-verification-online-pornographic-material-adult-websites-australia-law #ageverification #privacy #onlinesafetybill

JamesBaker, 10 months ago to random

This story about AI generated CSAM is horrifying https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65932372. As a parent it makes me even more defensive of the need for E2EE technology. If you share family pics on social media you now risk a pedophile using them to deepfake CSAM.

JamesBaker, 10 months ago to random

This seems significant.
Apple have joined the criticism of the UK’s plans to start scanning people’s private encrypted messages. BBC are now reporting on the story and @openrightsgroup / @edri letter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66028773 #onlinesafetybill #encryption if you haven’t done already please write to your MP about it https://action.openrightsgroup.org/dont-scan-me-write-your-mp-help-stop-spy-clause

JamesBaker, 6 months ago to random

Sending your DNA off to learn about your ancestors and as a bonus you get to become part of a GSK experiment and have your DNA on the dark web https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-30/23andme-will-give-gsk-access-to-consumer-dna-data

JamesBaker, 6 months ago to random

A floating AI complex in international waters. This is very cyberpunk. https://www.extremetech.com/computing/ai-company-plans-to-run-clusters-of-10000-nvidia-h100-gpus-in-international

JamesBaker, 6 months ago to random

Since having Covid (for the third time) in August I feel like my immune system is wrecked. I’ve had three infections requiring antibiotics since then and now a viral chest infection and fever. I’m ordering a sun lamp and more zinc and vitamin C. I have a pretty good diet with homemade food. Do people have any other immune boosting tips?

JamesBaker, 6 months ago to privacy

We value your privacy by sharing data with 376 partners…. Not impressed by UK Met Office app. #privacy

JamesBaker, 13 days ago to ukteachers

Jen at Defend Digital Me has don’t great work exposing this. It’s the same pattern collect data for a legitimate use then before you know it the data forms part of our increasingly totalitarian surveillance state. Trust in schools will take another hit as people learn to distrust institutions #surveillance #education #privacy https://schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-secret-deal-to-let-benefit-fraud-squad-snoop-on-pupil-data/

JamesBaker, 12 days ago to twitter

I rarely look at Twitter these days but logged in on an account and got instantly met with Musk, Fox and Rowling. I am so very glad Mastodon exists… #twitter #musk #mastodon