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Two Years Behind Bars or 20? One Day, a Computer Formula May Have a Say
Jan 7, 2016 Influenced by algorithms, judges who are racially biased might actually hand out milder sentences to minority defendants. But some experts worry that, in the big picture, an imperfect science may work against the accused.
Google Is Accused of Spying on Kindergartners
Dec 12, 2015 A digital rights advocacy group has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission accusing the tech giant of spying on up to 40 million students and school officials who use the company's Chromebook laptops.
Why Government Access to Encrypted Messages Won’t Make Us Safer
Nov 25, 2015 Since the Paris attacks, some officials and pundits have argued that government agencies should have a "back door" to encoded apps But such a capability would only compromise the communications of law-abiding citizens, and terrorists would quickly find new ways to evade detectionSince the Paris attacks, some officials have argued that government should have a "back door" to encoded apps.
Data-Grabbing ‘Stingrays’ Are Attacking Our Civil Liberties
Nov 12, 2015 The secrecy surrounding police use of these "anti-terrorism" devices in ordinary criminal investigations is a big and growing problem, ACLU experts say, one that puts some defendants at an unfair and illegal disadvantage.
Can Apple, Google and Facebook Save Us From Big Brother?
Sep 11, 2015 The big tech companies have the resources to launch a campaign for privacy that could change the world. As one scholar and researcher has written, “They may be our best chance out of this surveillance mess.”
Court Ruling Builds a Barrier Against Challenges to NSA Spying on Americans
Sep 5, 2015 Rights advocates say an impossible standard is being imposed for the opponents of the federal government’s mass collection of telephone records.
Trending on Twitter: Blocking Access to Politicians’ Deleted Tweets
Aug 28, 2015 The social media giant’s decision to end public access to its websites that archive politicians’ deleted tweets alarms transparency advocates.
Facebook Is Diving Into the Presidential Race. Yes, You Should Be Worried.
Aug 14, 2015 Experts say, for instance, that if the social media behemoth knows you're a liberal woman in Oregon who wants to protect the environment, it can tailor ads to make a politician appear to be in line with your ideals, even if that isn't entirely the case.
Can Bernie Sanders Win Minority Hearts, and Votes?
Jul 31, 2015 The presidential candidate is little known among minorities He will have to convince those communities that his focus on economic inequality is tightly tied to their interests, too His focus on income inequality may reflect a belief by the presidential candidate that the most important way to help both minority and white communities is to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance at making it.
It’s Not Just the NSA — the IRS Is Reading Your Emails Too
Jul 10, 2015 Once your emails reach the tender age of 180 days, government agencies can easily gain access to them without your even knowing it. The Email Privacy Act would change that.