TECHNOLOGY
Latest Technology Posts
US Government Agencies Again Fall Victim to State Sponsored Cyber Attacks
Brief #29—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
On December 13, 2020 news broke that computer networks at several US government agencies including the Departments of Treasury and Commerce had been compromised by a state actor.
Facebook Taken to Court Over Antitrust Issues
Brief #28—Technology
By Zach Huffman
Parallel lawsuits from The Federal Trade Commission and multiple state Attorneys General declared Facebook an illegal monopoly and both suits are seeking to break up the social media giant.
Amazon’s Troubling Worker Surveillance Practices
Brief #27—Technology
By Scout Burchill
Over the past few months a number of reports and leaks from Amazon have emerged that expose the shocking lengths that the corporation goes to surveil their workers and quell labor organizing efforts.
Despite Trump Dismissal Christopher Krebs is Still Getting It Right
Brief #26—Technology
By Charles A. Rubin
On November 17, 2020 – two weeks after election day and ten days after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the Presidential race, Christopher Krebs, the head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, was fired in a tweet by President Trump.
California’s Prop 22 and the Gloomy Future of the Gig Economy
Brief #25—Technology
By Scout Burchill
While the presidential election earlier this November was still brimming with controversy and suspense, major tech companies Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart and Postmates were celebrating a massive victory with the passage of California’s Prop 22.
The Google Antitrust Suit and Big Tech’s Fall From Grace
Brief #24—Technology
By Scout Burchill
On Tuesday, October 20th the Department of Justice, along with 11 Republican state attorney generals, sued Google under Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act: What is it and Why does Nobody Like it?
Brief #23—Technology
By Scout Burchill
Over the past few months, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which was passed into law in 1996, has become ensnared in controversy from both sides of the political spectrum.
Can Social Media Companies Regulate Their Own Content?
Brief #22—Technology
By Scout Burchill
As the 2020 election approaches, social media platforms have been taking major actions to moderate content in an attempt to combat growing amounts of misinformation.
As Social Media Giants Move to Curtail QAnon Trump Steps Up His Misinformation Campaign
Brief #21—Technology
By Charles A. Rubin
With the U.S. presidential election only weeks away, Facebook and other social media companies are struggling to show that they take the use of their platforms to spread misinformation and hate speech seriously, Facebook announced on October 6, 2020 that it had removed nearly 1,000 QAnon conspiracy theorist groups and promised to halt political ads after the polls close on November 3
Contact Tracing: Privacy Invasion or An Effective Tool To Tame The Beast
Brief #14—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
In the six months since we first became aware of the novel coronavirus, we have learned hard lessons about how the disease spreads and what we can do to contain it.
Stay At Home Rules Expose The Need for Universal Internet Access Now
Brief #13—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
As the COVID-19 epidemic has forced the nation’s schools and business into a second month of lock-down with no timetable for relaxation in sight, the digital divide has been brought into sharp relief. By some estimates, fully 25% of the US lacks high speed internet connections.
Vote-by-Mail: An Opportunity for Truly Democratic Elections in the Era of Covid-19
Brief #12—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
With election day less than eight months away and primary races in many states already delayed or pushed further out on the calendar, concern is mounting about how an election can be conducted under the current or even more draconian restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senators Amy Klobucher (D-Minnesota) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have introduced the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 which provides funding and guidance for states, counties and localities to quickly move to vote-by-mail elections. The legislation also strongly discourages on-line balloting efforts which it deems insecure.
Trump and the Chaos of 5G Network Policy
Brief #11—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
The Expanding Reach of Facial Technology – Has the Trump Executive Order Released a Monster?
Brief #10—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
The 2020 Census – A Revolution in Understanding Who We Are or An Ill Timed Technological Experiment?
Brief #9—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
Microsoft wins $10B DoD JEDI Contract – Did Trump’s Antipathy for Jeff Bezos Play a Role?
Brief #8—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
With US Presidential Race 13 Months Away – Email in the News
Brief #7—Technology
By Charles A Rubin
US Power Grid Under Siege – Will the Lights Stay On?
Brief #6—Technology
By Charles A. Rubin
Cyber Ransom Hits American Towns and Cities – Europe Has An Answer
Brief #5—Technology
By Charles A. Rubin