The Grumpy Geek » Your Rights

Stop the blacklist…

Grumpy Geek — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:16:43 +0000

Stop SOPA/PIPA, contact your Congressional representatives. For more info see, the EFF site.

Big Brother has another eye in the sky

Grumpy Geek — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:38:22 +0000

You know how all the sci-fi shows about a dystopian future show the citizens being surveilled by small flying units? Guess what, it’s now coming true in Texas. The same battle field technology used (illegally) in conflicts abroad is now being purchased by domestic police departments using federal dollars. My favorite line from the article is

“We’re not going to use it to be invading somebody’s privacy. It’ll be used for situations we have with criminals,” Gage said.

Wow, if you believe that then I have a bridge in New York I’d like to sell you. Just look at how they have been using counter-terrorism laws that were rushed onto the books as charges against completely unrelated offenses just a couple of years after 9/11. What say you?

New Police Drone Near Houston Could Carry Weapons

Update 12/12/11: Perfect example [LA Times]

DHS testing “pre-crime” detection technology

Grumpy Geek — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:10:10 +0000

The good folks at EPIC have used FOIA requests to get some sparse details on a Department of Homeland Security project to detect “mal-intent” via “non-invasive” biometric scanning. This is very reminiscent of Minority Report minus the pre-cogs. The DHS can’t even agree on whether PII (Personally Identifiable Information) will be stored in the system as they say it won’t but their own privacy assessment indicates it will. I think based on what has leaked out about the backscatter x-ray machines we all know how trustworthy their assurance that it won’t is.

I thought the mention of ethnicity as a component in the algorithm was quite interesting as well, is it still racial profiling if it’s a machine instead of a live agent making that decision? I think so, an obvious facet to challenge it on. It’s no wonder they are so tight-lipped about it.

“That which grows in the shadows and withers in the light of day, does not belong on the vine.” – Unknown

Homeland Security moves forward with ‘pre-crime’ detection [CNET]

Abolish the TSA

Grumpy Geek — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:35:45 +0000

I was reading an interesting blog post over at Forbes today. My response? “AMEN!”

Biometrics: Dubious security

Grumpy Geek — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:44:06 +0000

A very interesting article clearly laying out a viewpoint I have long held. As we continue to rush blindly into security measures based on things we don’t really understand, often trashing personal rights and privacy in the process, we are actually setting ourselves up for failure.

Biometrics: The Difference Engine… [economist.com]

Creepy school admins spying on kids via webcam…

Grumpy Geek — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:38:08 +0000

This is so outrageous I almost don’t know what to say. I guess just “wow.” In one school district in PA the school admins are spying on kids with the webcams on computers the kids get through school while at home. And it came to light when they chose to try and punish a student for conduct while at home. How creepy is that?

School used student laptop webcams… [boingboing]

Principal terrorizes 9 yo for playing with legos.

Grumpy Geek — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:56:26 +0000

An obviously delusional and ignorant elementary school principal in NYC hauled in a 4th grader, made him write a confession, and suspended him. For playing with a Lego policeman figure (at his lunch period) with a tiny little plastic gun… I guess that makes her feel like a big person or something.

We see the lack of common sense in society and wonder why people can’t make more intelligent decisions. Kids learn far more by example than lecture and look at what example we are setting for them. This insane “zero tolerance” idea has to go. Humans are reasoning creatures, use some of that capability once in a while.

Patrick Timoney’s “Gun” [This is True Blog]

We know where you were last summer…

Grumpy Geek — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:35:33 +0000

Grrrr. Instead of constantly telling us how the Constitution doesn’t apply, how about the feds leave us alone?

Feds push for tracking cell phones [cnet.com]

Bilingual? You’re fired…

Grumpy Geek — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:11:26 +0000

What? Oh sorry, I meant: ¿qué? I agree that immigrants need to be working towards learning English but this is just stupid.

Ex-CMS secretary says she was fired after she kept speaking Spanish to Latino parents [Charlotte Observer]

Well, we knew it was BS from the beginning…

Grumpy Geek — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:05:37 +0000

If you haven’t heard of the latest security toy “backscatter x-ray” then you are living under a rock (and didn’t see my last post.) There has been quite a bit of outrage in the UK where they are becoming mandatory in the airports. Supposedly the best thing for security since sliced bread, there is no possible way for people’s privacy to be violated. I also have a bridge I can sell you for a very good price sir…

Exposed: Naked Body Scanner Images Of Film Star Printed, Circulated By Airport Staff [PrisonPlanet]