Surveillance Society.

 

        We all know the state spies on its citizens, we all know that the state passes legislation that it doesn't want it citizens to know about, we all know, or should know, it does all this with one aim , control over our lives. To hold onto its power it needs to know where you are, what you're up to, and be able to intervene and stifle any form of dissent. "Big Brother" is not a story of fiction, in today's society, it is a reality. We are surrounded by profiling, face recognition, CCTV, spied on, monitored, infiltrated by undercover agents, and there is a constant drive by the babbling brook of bullshit, the mainstream media, to manufacture our opinions, to mould our perception of reality to their liking.     

       All of these things are not exceptions, they are the norm of our modern way of life, who are they protecting?

       As far as the state is concerned, nothing is personal in this surveillance society, the state claims the right to be privy to ever aspect of your personal life. Your right to privacy is something the state doesn't recognise and will continually attempt to find ways to circumvent that right. All of this is to protect the established power, and protect its wealth and privileges. No matter where we are in this "Big Brother" society, the state will always try to take us further along that route. We must fight to put a stop to this whole malignant, repressive state apparatus, it is in the interest of us all to do so.

This from Open Media:

       Leaked docs reveal the UK Home Office’s secret plan to gain real-time access to our text messages and online communications AND force companies like WhatsApp to break the security on its own software. This reckless government plan will make all of us more vulnerable to attacks like yesterday's ransomware assault against the NHS.

Act now

        A shocking leak scooped by our friends at Open Rights Group has made this information public.¹ Home Secretary Amber Rudd has made it very clear that she thinks no one should get to use safe and secure messaging apps.² Now she has set on the path to make her wish come true.

       Yesterday a massive ransomware attack hit the NHS, blocking off access to patient data and endangering lives. This horrific story tells us why companies need to be able to develop security software without any backdoors that can be exploited this way.³

     Can you speak up right now and send Amber Rudd a powerful message to defend our privacy and online security?

      The Government’s proposals will force tech companies and Internet providers to allow “near real time” access to all your private online communications.⁴ Clearly, the only information Amber Rudd believes should stay hidden is the Government’s own powers! We need to make it clear that secretive laws that break our tech and strip away our privacy have no place in a democracy.

       What's even more worrying is that the Home Office is not expecting to hear from the public. They planned to keep this entire process secret — including a “consultation” they didn’t publicly announce, even to tech businesses!⁵

           Because of this secrecy, we now have fewer than 10 days to get our voices on the record — we don’t have a moment to lose!

Tell Home Secretary Amber Rudd: Encryption keeps us safe. Do not weaken everyone’s security by creating backdoors that hackers and malicious actors can exploit.

       The UK Home Office already has some of the most aggressive surveillance powers in the world. This is nothing more than a power grab for even more invasive powers — but if enough of us speak up we can stop this. They won’t be expecting a big reaction in so little time — can you speak up now?

Thank you for helping us fight back!

Ruth

       P.S. Strong encryption saves lives⁶ — Vulnerable groups will have their safety compromised if services like WhatsApp and Signal are forced to build backdoors. Lawyers will lose client confidentiality, victims of police misconduct will be spied on, journalists will be unable to protect sources, and domestic abusers could be gifted further ways to exploit tech vulnerabilities to spy on their partners.⁷ Can you add your voice to save the tools and technologies that keep us safe?

Footnotes

[1] LEAKED Draft Statutory Powers, Source: Open Rights Group

[2] Investigatory Powers: 'Real-time surveillance' in draft update, Source: BBC

[3] NHS cyber-attack: GPs and hospitals hit by ransomware. Source: BBC

[4] Winning the debate on encryption — a 101 guide for politicians. Source: Privacy International

[5] Plans for extensive Government spying powers revealed in leaked report. Source: Telegraph

[6] Encryption saves lives. Source: Jon Camfield

[7] This Software Company May Be Helping People Illegally Spy On Their Spouses. Source: Forbes

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

No Toll-gates On The Internet.

            The battle to control our lives is an on going war, the corporate bodies of this capitalist world are continually seeking new ways to control every aspect of our lives, and it is all just for profit to their shareholders. The multi-national telecom giants are no different, they see the internet as something they can squeeze more money from, if they can just get their grubby hands on some sort of controlling mechanism, and they are working hard at it all the time. They have the money, the political connections, the lawyers and the time and they will use them all to get that advantage. What they should not have is the power to break the will of the people, that's up to us.  

This appeal from OpenMedia:

       We have just one week to stand against a plan, put forward by giant telecom conglomerates, to put a toll booth on the Internet. Please take a moment right now to use our high impact tool to put a stop to this horrible idea. Regulators in the European Union are about to review key Net Neutrality rules that fundamentally impact how the Internet works. Telecom companies are using this process as an opportunity to push for a scheme that would give them the power to put a toll booth on the Internet — making websites they don’t like slower and more expensive to access. Please, we have until July 18th to get on the public record — take quick moment to send a message to key decision makers while we still have time.

       The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) are responsible for these key rules[1] and they should enable equal access for all. But we know the telecom companies have powerful friends and lobbyists that have the ear of decision makers.[2] We have to make sure that so many of us speak up that we’re impossible to ignore.[3, 4, 5] We can’t afford for our favourite websites to become more expensive to access and slower to load — and whatever happens in Europe will will fundamentally impact how the borderless Internet works. We have to act now — we only have until July 18th to to get on the public record. Tell regulators: the Internet shouldn’t have a toll booth. The powerful chorus of open Internet supporters have won the battle for an equal Internet in India,[6] in the United States last month,[7] and are speaking out in droves in Canada.[8] We should get to decide how we use the Internet, — not powerful telecom gatekeepers with vested interests.[9] A free and open Internet levels the playing field for all and fosters incredible innovation, and if we don’t speak out now, we’re going to lose it. Tell regulators you’re willing to fight for an open Internet before the July 18 deadline.[10]

— Katy, and your OpenMedia team

P.S. At OpenMedia we’re always working to keep the Internet open, equal and surveillance-free. If you haven’t already, please chip in $10 a month to keep our small team fighting for your digital rights.

Footnotes:
1. Draft BEREC Guidelines on implementation by National Regulators of European net neutrality rules: BEREC
2. 10 reasons not to trust BEREC on Net Neutrality: Strand Reports
3. Net Neutrality: A Victory for Digital Innovation: Recode
4. EU Internet Users Can Stand Up For Net Neutrality: Mozilla
5. Like FCC, BEREC bows to activists on open Internet: Tech Policy Daily
6. Big win for net neutrality: Telecom regulator prohibits discriminatory tariffs for data: Times of India
7. Tom Wheeler defeats the broadband industry: Net neutrality wins in court: Ars Technica
8. We have a huge opportunity to end data caps in Canada: OpenMedia
9. EU telcos offer to ramp up 5G effort in return for watered-down net neutrality rules: Total Telecom
10. Learn more at SaveTheInternet.eu, a coalition of which OpenMedia is a proud member: SaveTheInternet.eu

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Internet Freedom At Stake.

       Urgent action needed: Big Telecom giants are about to force many of your favourite websites into an Internet slow lane,¹ making them buffer sporadically, and return errors.

This is the big one.

         Right now, a high profile case is playing out² that could set a global standard³ and enable your Internet providers to force your Internet use into a slow lane and make accessing services more expensive.

The clock is ticking: Key decision-makers are about to make a landmark ruling on this Internet slowdown,⁴ so we have to raise a loud global call⁵ by the crucial September 15th deadline for public input.

       To fight back, we need you to add your voice to a global movement of Internet users sending decision-makers a powerful message in the final days of public input. Can we count you in, ?

        This ruling will determine whether you can access whatever you want, whenever you want at full speed – whether that’s Netflix, your favourite online comedy site, or your online banking.

But now, Big Telecom wants to take away that choice, and turn the Internet into Cable TV 2.0, where whole websites will be slowed to a snail’s pace.

The clock is counting down: it’s up to you to stand up and be counted in the fight against Big Telecom’s Internet slow down.

        The effects of this landmark ruling will be felt worldwide.⁶ You may not live in the U.S., but many of your favourite websites do.

We’re counting on you. Your OpenMedia team puts together sophisticated tools and platforms to amplify your voice when it matters most – and this is certainly no exception.

     Join with Internet users around the world in the largest digital rights campaign the world has ever seen. We don't have much time: speak out now before the crucial deadline.

Thanks for continuing to step up when we need you the most,

Steve, Josh, and Meghan, on behalf of your OpenMedia team

P.S., The fight for net neutrality is the fight for Internet freedom. We’re up against some big industry players around the world – but with your support, we can ensure the Internet remains an open platform that fuels the type of society we aspire to. Please consider donating today to keep us going.

Footnotes
[1], [4] Net Neutrality, Monopoly, and the Death of the Democratic Internet. Source: Motherboard
[2] U.S. extends deadline for 'net neutrality' comments to Sept 15. Source: Reuters.
[3] Decision-makers in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the European Union are considering implementing rules that could either safeguard the open Internet, or hand power to giant telecom conglomerates. Also: “A significant chunk of global Internet traffic flows to and from the United States, and limiting the flow of traffic will have knock-on effects”. Source: Hub Communications.
[5] Countries including the U.S., Canada, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and The Netherlands have passed rules to prevent telecom giants from discriminating against different types of content flowing across their networks. Get more info by clicking on each country above.
[6] Why U.S. net neutrality debate matters globally. Source: The Hill Times.

We are an award-winning network of people and organizations working to safeguard the possibilities of the open Internet. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy. You can follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook. We rely on donations from people like you to operate. Even the smallest contributions go a long way to make your voice heard. Please consider donating today.  Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Free And Open Internet.

        The Internet is very important in our lives today, from entertainment to quick circulation of news and information, to just keeping in touch, but powerful corporate bodies are attempting to shut it down and transform it to a two, or three tier system, pricing the ordinary people into the SSLOWW lane, leaving the higher priced fast lane for the corporate greed merchants. This affects all of us and it is very important that we keep the internet open to all, on a level playing field.

An appeal from Open Media:

The thing we love the most about the Internet is that it's a level playing field for free expression, economic opportunity, and innovation.

But Big Telecom can’t stand this – and now they're trying to squeeze more money from Internet users by destroying the free and open Internet that people everywhere built together.

These telecom giants are pushing rules that would force everybody who can’t afford the outrageous new fees into an Internet slow lane.¹ But we have one more chance to stop this.

Tomorrow, the U.S. FCC will be reviewing their slow lane proposal. And we need you to support a powerful legal challenge that could help save the Internet.

In less than 24 hours, brave lawyers and open Internet experts at Free Press will present legal challenges to the FCC’s Internet slow lane rules. We need you to stand with these experts, and call on the FCC to stand up for the open Internet now.

John, you have been a key part of this since the beginning.

In May, you joined with over 125,000 Internet users from around the world to say no to the Internet slow lane². Now we need you to take this crucial next step at this key stage in the FCC’s decision-making.

At OpenMedia, one of the things we’re best at is collaborating with others in the fight for the open Internet. That’s why we’re supporting the Free Press challenge, and adding the full weight of our growing international pro-Internet community to push back against Internet slow lanes.

These experts will be submitting their challenge to the U.S. FCC about rules that – if passed – would create an Internet dominated by deep-pocketed telecom giants, and affect users in countries around the world.³ We must stand with the experts to save the Internet as we know it.

If it comes to slow lanes on the Internet, nothing will be safe.⁴ Your favorite online comedy troupe, indie shopping site,⁵ or the next big social media network are all at risk. We must stop this.

We know that when we work together nothing can stand in our way. The next 24 hours are critical to the future of the open Internet. Please call on the FCC to reject Internet slow lanes while you still can.

For the future of innovation and creativity online,

–Josh and Steve, on behalf of OpenMedia

P.S. OpenMedia is a small team that gets big results. We’re up against some powerful, well funded interests, and it’s your support that enables us to take them on. Please, help us stop the FCC’s Slow Lane and stand up to Big Telecom’s lobbyists by chipping in with a donation today.

Footnotes
[1] Net Neutrality, Monopoly, and the Death of the Democratic Internet. Source: Motherboard.
[2] Over 125,000 Internet freedom advocates have said no to an Internet slow lane. Source.
[3] Internet traffic from around the globe passes through US servers, peering, and content delivery networks. As a result, it’s likely that web traffic from outside the U.S. could get caught in the slow lane. Source: Motherboard.
[4] The Internet you know is about to look a whole lot different. And you might not like what you see. Source.
[5] Etsy Weighs In on Net Neutrality as FCC Comment Deadline Looms. Source: re/code.

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

An Open Internet, Or A Corporate Controlled Internet?

President Obama is holding secret meetings in Asia to ram through the TPP’s Internet censorship plan, which would force ISPs to monitor our Internet use, censor content, and remove entire websites. To fight back we need your help to project an attention-grabbing message on key buildings in Washington D.C. Tell decision-makers to stop the secretive TPP now so we can deliver the message before it’s too late.

An urgent appeal from Open Media:

      This is urgent. An Internet censorship plan is being finalized in secret meetings right now. We need all hands on deck at this crucial moment. Click HERE to learn more and speak up.

      Here’s the situation: Obama himself is in secretive meetings with key political figures and lobbyists in Asia to lock the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Internet censorship plan into place.

We know from leaked documents that this secretive plan will censor your use of the Internet and strip away your rights.1 If finalized, this plan would force ISPs to act as “Internet Police” monitoring our Internet use, censoring content, and removing whole websites.2

     It will give media conglomerates centralized control over what you can watch and share online.

We urgently need your help to fight back. Add your voice right now and we’ll project a Stop the Secrecy message on key buildings in Washington D.C. to ensure Obama, the media, and everyone else knows this censorship plan must be stopped.

       This is huge: covering 40% of the global economy, the TPP is being called a legal “blueprint” for the rest of the world.[3] Once key leaders finalize TPP Internet censorship plans today it will be used to globalize censorship across the world. You will be affected and this may be our only chance to stop it.

        Our attention-grabbing message will shine a light on their secret plan and will make clear to Washington lobbyists that the Internet community will never accept the TPP’s secrecy or censorship. The more who speak out, the larger our projection will become, and the more people we can reach.

This is a decisive moment: we need to act right now. Join with hundreds of thousands of people all over the world to shine a light on the TPP’s job-killing Internet censorship plan. Let’s send decision-makers and the lobbyists pulling the strings a message they can’t ignore: "Stop the secrecy now."

        With every voice that is added to our call, a donor will contribute to make Stop The Secrecy projection in Washington bigger and brighter. We’ve stalled them before and we can kill this censorship plan if we act together at this critical moment. The bureaucrats and lobbyists think they can ram through this damaging binding plan behind your back and without your consent. Will you let them get away with it, John?

      Thank you for being a part of history,

     Steve, Josh, Eva, and David, on behalf of your OpenMedia.org team

      P.S., If the TPP censorship plan goes through, the Internet as we know it will change forever. We’d be left with an Internet that’s far more expensive, censored, and policed. We know we can stop this - but we need to act right now. Can we count on you to stand with us, John?

Footnotes

[1] “Secret Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).” Source: WikiLeaks.

[2] TPP Creates Legal Incentives For ISPs To Police The Internet. What Is At Risk? Your Rights. Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation

[3] U.S. “Bullying” TPP Negotiators Amid Failure to Agree. Source: Inter Press Service News Agency. *Note: The U.S. and the E.U. are already discussing a similar secretive agreement called "Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)". Once the TPP is finalized there will be pressure to harmonize and extend its provisions to TTIP -- meaning the E.U. There are also reports of several others countries being added to the TPP once it is finalized.

OpenMedia.org is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from people like you to operate. Our small but dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way to make your voice heard. Please donate today.     We are an award-winning network of people and organizations working to safeguard the possibilities of the open Internet. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy. You can follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.
Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Open Media, Or Censorship.

This Speaks for itself.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.

We now know the controversial international agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), threatens to criminalize your online activity including use of your favorite websites. A new chief negotiator named Michael Froman has just been announced. Will you send him a message at this pivotal moment before Big Media lobbyists get to him?

“The Biggest Global Threat to the Internet”: That’s how legal experts describe the controversial international agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).¹

The TPP agreement threatens to criminalize use of your favorite websites—including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and your favourite blog—and even your online comments.² But you can stop it if you act now >>>

A man named Michael Froman has just been appointed as the new TPP chief negotiator. Froman now has a unique ability either to put this secretive, global Internet criminalization plan to an end – or to cement it into place for generations.

The question is: Who will Michael Froman hear from in his first week on the job? You, or the Big Media conglomerates that see the Internet as a threat?

Legal experts are now warning that under the TPP, normal online activities “could lead you to be cut off from the Internet, have your computer seized, be fined up to $150,000, or even land you in prison.”³

Will you *click here* to send a message to Michael Froman at this pivotal moment? We must speak up before Big Media lobbyists convince him to criminalize use of the Internet.

We can do this,

Steve and Josh, on behalf of your OpenMedia team

P.S. After you participate in this time-sensitive action, please help us continue to push this campaign by chipping in whatever you can now—every bit really does help our small team succeed. Thank you for supporting this community in its time of need.

Footnotes

[1] Recent analysis by lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation called the TPP the biggest global threat to the Internet. Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation.

[2] Provisions in leaked drafts of the TPP could prohibit use of “temporary copies”, which according to policy experts at InternetNZ, are crucial: “The Internet—and computing—fundamentally depends on making temporary copies.”

The EFF writes that if this proceeds, “anyone who ever views content on their device could potentially be found liable of infringement”.

[3] The quote comes from the EFF’s Maira Sutton writing in the Daily Dot.

About OpenMedia

OpenMedia fights for the open Internet, through OpenMedia.ca and OpenMedia International. We empower people to participate in Internet governance with fresh and engaging citzens' campaigns. Together with the pro-Internet community, we've successfully defended the Internet from threats to neutrality, affordability, privacy, and media choice. ann arky's home.