We Can Track COVID-19's Spread Without Violating Privacy
The coronavirus is no excuse to intrude on people's lives unnecessarily. Tech provides decentralized systems for contact tracing.
Cellphones
No, 5G Is Not Spreading Coronavirus. That Doesn't Even Make Sense.
These theories are dumb. Destroying 5G infrastructure is not going to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Before You Use Our GPS Travel Data To Formulate Coronavirus Policy, Make Sure You Understand the Data
Confusing travel distance with actual human mingling is no way to create smart policy.
Where Have You Been? Your Cellphone Knows and Is Willing to Tell
Your cellphone is tracking your movements and, despite legal protections, federal, state, and local officials are finding new and disturbing ways to use that information.
The FBI Wants Access to a Mass Shooter's iPhone. Will They Demand a Back Door?
A deadly shooting on a Naval base in Florida may lead to a new battle against encryption.
Vermont Bill Criminalizing Cell Phone Use for Anyone Under 21 Is a Brilliant Troll
The proposal is parodying, not endorsing, the nanny state.
Did You Download an App that Connects to Your Rifle Scope? If So, the Justice Department Wants to Know Who You Are.
Feds go fishing for private data in order to track down illegal exporters.
Another Federal Court Allows Warrantless Cellphone Searches at U.S. Border
It’s time for SCOTUS to revisit the "border search exception" to the Fourth Amendment.
If You're Near the Scene of a Crime, Authorities Can Demand That Google Hand Over Your Data
Quiet fishing expeditions are being used to sort through potential suspects.
Nationwide 'Presidential Alert' Texts: Not the Best Idea
Most of us got a "presidential alert" text today. Is that something we really want?
New Zealand Law Is an Affront to Travelers' Privacy, but Things Aren't Much Better Here
In New Zealand, customs officials can now demand that travelers unlock their electronic devices.
A Florida Man Arrested for Pot Is in Jail Until He Lets Deputies Search His Phones
Police say there's evidence. His lawyer says it's a fishing expedition.
Gorsuch Was More 'Liberal' Than Kennedy This Term, in an Unusual Supreme Court Twist
Comparing the records of two right-of-center justices.
Huge Win for Everyone With a Cellphone (and for the Fourth Amendment) at the Supreme Court
SCOTUS rejects warrantless cellphone location tracking in Carpenter v. United States.
13-Year-Old Charged with Felony for Recording Conversation with School Principal
"If I do go to court and get wrongfully convicted, my whole life is ruined."
Encryption Wars Ramp Up As Apple Improves Phone Security
Law enforcement is upset, but data security is vital to prevent crimes.
Let's Not Blame Tech Tools if This Sheriff Illegally Violated People's Privacy
Government, not private companies, is supposed to provide oversight over police behavior.
Hey, Beltway Denizens: Spies Are Tracking Your Phones, So Maybe Don't Ruin Encryption
The FBI is looking for a back door to your phone. So are some snoops in the FBI's back yard.
Report: FBI Officials Dragged Feet Breaking into Terrorist's Phone to Try to Force Apple to Weaken Encryption
A political battle following the San Bernardino attack was the result of an attempt to make a test case.
Justices Alito and Gorsuch Clash Over Cellphones, Privacy, and Property Rights
Oral arguments in Carpenter v. U.S. reveal a division between two conservative justices.
Trump Administration Lawyer Pummeled by Sotomayor and Gorsuch in Cellphone Tracking Case
"Most Americans, I think, still want to avoid Big Brother."
Today at SCOTUS: Warrantless Cell Phone Tracking vs. the Fourth Amendment
What's at issue today in Carpenter v. United States.
Locked Texas Shooter's iPhone Reignites Encryption Debate
Another possible standoff where officials want to compromise everybody's data security.
Groups File Suit to Stop Warrantless Tech Searches at Borders
Homeland Security officials seize and snoop into thousands of phones and laptops without any evidence of criminal activity.
Honolulu Becomes First City to Ban Texting While Crossing Streets
Its for your own good, you know.
New York Lawmakers Back Unwarranted Phone Searches of Drivers
On the pretext of texting safety, they want to give cops free rein to suspend licenses and fine drivers without charges or conviction.
We Could Have Had Cellphones Four Decades Earlier
Thanks for nothing, Federal Communications Commission.
Florida Man Jailed 180 Days for Not Giving Police His iPhone Password
He gave them a password, but police say it doesn't work.
You Don't Have to Be a Foreigner to Have Privacy Violated by Trump's 'Extreme Vetting'
Have a friend visiting from another country? DHS wants to know your connections.
An App to Track Drone Strikes Lasted Less Than a Day Before Apple Yanked It
Data journalist details five-year fight to make information more available.
CIA Leak Shows How We're Losing Both Privacy and Security with Tech Data
Agency hoards infiltration tools and puts our information at risk of exposure.
What Do You Call a Tool to Help Uber Avoid Gov't Stings? A Good Start.
Company used a secret method of getting around regulators trying to shut them down. If only the rest of us were so lucky.
The Double-Edged Sword of Encrypted White House Chatter: Leaks Vs. Secrecy
When transparency and government corruption can come from the same mechanism.
Facebook Has No First Amendment Right to Send Unauthorized Texts, Says Court
The company argued that it had a free-speech right to text users unauthorized birthday reminders.
Forcing Apple to Shut Down Drivers' Phones Is a Terrible Idea
Jerks who want to FaceTime while they drive will always find a way, alas.
Why New Cellphone Restrictions Won't Have a Noticeable Impact on Crashes
Cellphones figure in something like 1 percent of traffic fatalities, and holding them is not the main distraction.
Calif. to Treat Smart Phones in Cars as Just Slightly Less Dangerous than Loaded Guns
Don't drive and … touch … anything?
Alexa. Please Don't Answer Police Questions Without a Warrant
Amazon refusing to turn over Echo digital assistant voice recordings in murder investigation.
An Epidemic of Bad Epidemiology
Getting Risk Right is a potent antidote to the toxic misinformation peddled by activist scaremongers
