Cyberlaw Podcast decided to follow the lead of (alleged Bitcoin Bandits) embrace of cringerap. There are no excuses. For six years, we’ve been proud of our cringe-casting. Scott Shapiro, however shows there is much more to this bitcoin story than making embarrassing social media posts. The government filings after Heather Morgan’s arrest paint a grim picture about how difficult it can be to cash out $4.5 million in bitcoin. Although that’s the way government wants us think, it is persuasive and Scott and David Kris highly recommend this book.
U.S. citizens can perform their most popular hits starting in 1965, just like the Rolling Stones did it 2021. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon is replaying his favorite schtick from 2013 – complaining that the government has an intelligence program that collects U.S. person data under a legal theory that would surprise most Americans. David Kris and Dave Aitel conclude, based on their recommendations to the Privacy and Civil Liberty Oversight Board, that it doesn’t seem like a big scandal. However, this may cause new popups on the desktops of intel analysts as they search for data.
Dave Aitel cites two convincing reports by forensics firms that an Indian government entity has compromised the computers a group Indian activists. The access was used to spy on the activists, and to upload fake documents to their computers. This is a completely predictable and still disconcerting development.
The EU is facing crisis over its General Data Protection Regulation (EUGDPR), and the European Court of Justice’s decision in Schrems. David Kris observes a shocking trend. Although the Court was aiming for the United States, its decision is beginning to impact European businesses. They may be forced to make a choice between receiving free Silicon Valley services or committing serious GDPR liabilities. That’s the message in the latest French ruling that websites using Google Analytics are in breach of GDPR. European publishers that depend on data-dependent advertising may have to make a choice next. In fact, the Belgian data protection authorities has seriously criticized the legality and legality of this structure.
Scott and I examine the IRS’s efforts to use facial recognition in order to authenticate taxpayers who are seeking records. In Lawfare, I defend face recognition again. Scott and I both agree that this is not going to be a good outcome, but we do know that the abandonment of facial recognition technology will lead to more fraud and a poorer service for taxpayers.
I cover to the only field where Silicon Valley still seems to be innovating – new ways to tell conservatives that they should just die already. Airbnb is now embracing the Southern Poverty Law Center’s business model, which is demeaning mainstream conservative groups and calling them “hate mongers”. Airbnb told Michelle Malkin that her speech to a SPLC-designated “hate” group meant that she was forever barred from using Airbnb – and so was her husband. That’s three-fold guilty by association, I believe. It’s also remarkable that Facebook has now told Bjorn Lomborg he can’t repeat truthful facts if they are being used to back the Wrong Narrative. Silicon Valley doesn’t have content moderation. The truth is not an option. Firms that can access real-life things and people with opposing views are denied those items.
Scott and me unpack EARN IT, the Eliminating Abusive Rampant Neglect Interactive Technologies Act. This Act was again reported from committee to an outcry of privacy NGOs. Anti-child abuse campaigners don’t wait for EARN IT. Section 230 has not been challenged in a Pornhub sex trafficking case.
Listen to the 394th episode (mp3)
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