Cybersecurity
Imprisoned Leaker Reality Winner Seeks Mercy From Trump
She’s nearly three years into a five-year sentence for releasing classified documents showing Russian attempts to hack U.S. election systems.
CIA Encryption Meddling and Chinese Espionage Allegations Make It Clear: We All Need Strong Data Protection
Somebody tell the FBI and Congress.
House Moves To Give Homeland Security More Power To Snoop
Plus: Santa Cruz decriminalizes shrooms, the feds target medical marijuana in Michigan, "the growing threat to free speech online," and more...
Trump and Comey Are United Against Encrypted Communications
Don’t worry—America’s ruling factions still disagree over who should be in charge of the snooping.
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.
Can Big Tech Save Us From the Power of Government?
WhatsApp (and owner Facebook) sues to protect users from malicious surveillance from officials.
What 'Rights' Do We Have When We're Talking About Our Private Online Data?
Defining terms is tricky, particularly when governments with bad track records on privacy want to call the shots.
The Same FBI That Wants To Destroy Encryption Is Still Illegally Snooping on Americans
Years after surveillance reforms, federal personnel can’t seem to comply with the Fourth Amendment.
How Your Digital Purchases Could Serve the Perfect Surveillance Network
You may be surprised how many different companies know whenever you use your credit card.
The Justice Department Renews Its Irresponsible Calls for Encryption Bypasses
In order to fight crime, Americans must...make their data more susceptible to hacking?
EU Data Privacy Fines Are Getting Steep. Will This Be the New Normal?
And will the end result encourage companies to try to keep cybersecurity breaches secret?
Now Microsoft Supports an American GDPR. Which Tech Giant Wouldn't?
Government-mandated privacy regulations will allow the most powerful companies to game it to their advantage.
Bitcoin Isn't Anonymous. Is That a Dealbreaker?
As the cryptocurrency continues use, issues of privacy and fungibility crop up.
The Government Is Treating Assange Like a Hacker to Punish His Journalism
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is itself prone to abuse by prosecutors. This is another example.
If the Feds Have Stopped Snooping on Our Phone Records, Watch Out for the Anti-Encryption Propaganda
Backdoors into your texts and private message provide far more information than your phone metadata.
Hate Long TSA Lines? Hate Them Enough to Get Your Eye Scanned Instead?
The possibilities and perils of voluntary, privately operated biometric screening
Bombshell Report About Americans Helping UAE Hack Phones Is a Warning Against Compromising Encryption
Hacking tools end up in the hands of some dangerous people. So, apparently, do our government hackers.
John McAfee Takes to the Seas, Fleeing a Feared Indictment; Intends to Pursue His Libertarian Presidential Race Via Masked Surrogates
The antivirus visionary hopes Libertarians will credit him for "standing up and risking things" for freedom by campaigning in exile.
Congratulations, Australian Government! You've Just Destroyed the World's Data Privacy!
Parliament passes a bill at the last possible moment to give officials the power to weaken encryption.
Facebook Hack Another Warning Sign Against Online Centralization
The bigger the company, the bigger the target.
Australia Chosen as the Battleground to Try to Destroy Your Data Privacy
Draft legislation would force tech companies to compromise encryption at the government's demand.
Don't Blame Bitcoin for Russian Hacking
Cybercurrencies are not as anonymous as you might think.
Don't Give Foreign Hackers Immunity in U.S. Courts
If foreign hackers are immune from American civil suits under current law, don't be surprised to see Congress step in to try to close the loophole.
Encryption Wars Ramp Up As Apple Improves Phone Security
Law enforcement is upset, but data security is vital to prevent crimes.
Is the FBI Trying to Bolster Its War on Cryptography?
Was their miscount of unlockable phones truly a mistake or part of an agenda?
Europe's New Data Privacy Rules Will Make Facebook and Google More Powerful
The EU's GDPR should serve as a cautionary tale for Americans eager to reign in tech titans
Comey Acknowledges Screwing Up in Encryption Fight, But He Still Doesn't Grasp the Issue
The former FBI director recognizes his criticism of Apple was "thoughtless," but he doesn't see the underlying problem with seeking cybersecurity back doors.
Supreme Court Punts on Data Privacy Case, Thanks to the Terrible CLOUD Act
Lawmakers passed a bill requiring American firms to comply with warrants for data stored overseas, ending a legal fight.
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.
Omnibus Bill Chips Away at Citizens' Abilities to Protect Data from Government Snoops Across the World
The CLOUD Act improves data sharing with governments by reducing oversight.
Countering the Threat of the Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence
Are smart Roombas booby-trapped with bombs in our future?
FCC Chair Throws Water on Crazy Plan for Feds to Seize Control of Our 5G Networks
No, the government shouldn't nationalize our mobile infrastructure.
Regulations Prevent Some People from Using Google Arts & Culture's Portrait-Matching Feature
Illinois and Texas think biometric identifiers are a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Major Computer Chip Bugs Show the Need for Open Security Research
Have you heard about "Meltdown" and "Spectre"? Here's what you need to know.
Locked Texas Shooter's iPhone Reignites Encryption Debate
Another possible standoff where officials want to compromise everybody's data security.
Justice Department Calls for 'Responsible' Encryption, Which Means 'Bad' Encryption
What Rosenstein wants would threaten data security. That's hardly responsible.
U.K. Official Wants You to Stop Sneering at Her for Trying to Destroy Your Privacy
Amber Rudd admits that she doesn't understand encryption while insisting on the need to undermine it.
Would Data Breach Notification Laws Really Improve Cybersecurity?
Responses to top-down federal dictates are hard to predict.
Australian Leader's Stupid Quote About Laws Trumping Math Is Encryption Fight in a Nutshell
Government authorities refuse to consider uncontrollable, dangerous consequences of breaking data privacy.
Trump's First Leak Arrest: An Old War on Leakers, Not a New War on the Press
Imprisoning people who reveal top-secret reports has become business as usual. Should it be?
Cory Doctorow on Cyber Warfare, Lawbreaking, and His New Novel 'Walkaway'
The novelist, activist, and BoingBoing founder on cyber warfare, Uber-style reputation economics, and what he's likely to get arrested for someday.
Government Is the Cause of—Not the Solution to—the Latest Hacking Outbreak
A failure of transparency and responsibility by multiple nations.
Another Terror Attack Leads to Yet Another Government Assault on Your Right to Tech Privacy
The British government uses its own intel failures to demand weakening of encryption.
Comey Confirms FBI Investigating Ties Between Russia, Trump Associates
Will assess whether anything illegal happened, but wouldn't provide details.
Vault 7 Versus Snowden: Why Was One Such a Bigger Story?
Vault 7 serves as another reminder of the inherent folly in building government-mandated backdoors into secure systems.