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DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

theguardian.com

71–80 of 114 posts

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#72

“It’s outrageous conduct on so many levels. It’s hard to know where to begin,” Do they not get that we live under an authoritarian regime? The regime doesn't care about the law. They have been installing their own people at every level of government for years, taking over parts of the government, and granting themselves new powers. When eventually every powerful person in government is part of the regime, it won't ma…

Remember when Republicans ran on small government, don't tread on me, Tea Party libertarians fighting the surveillance state? That was less than 20 years ago. Probably it was always a fraud.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#73
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The thing is nobody has to comply with 1509 summons, DHS has to go to court to enforce it. You're not wrong, but companies such as Google make business decisions, not moral decisions. It's far easier and cheaper for them to comply, while there is basically no incentive for them to fight the summons. Especially given the current administration's proven record of taking retaliation against anyone who stands in their…

Wouldn't the affected individual be able to sue the provider at least in some cases? From what I understand e.g. Stored Communications Act might allow suing T-Mobile in this case, at least if the individual isn't covered by binding arbitration. And possibly even government under 18 U.S.C. §2712. Of course then it's up to judge to determine if the request was valid or not.

> least if the individual isn't covered by binding arbitration

But binding arbitration is pretty standard in terms of service.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The thing is nobody has to comply with 1509 summons, DHS has to go to court to enforce it. You're not wrong, but companies such as Google make business decisions, not moral decisions. It's far easier and cheaper for them to comply, while there is basically no incentive for them to fight the summons. Especially given the current administration's proven record of taking retaliation against anyone who stands in their…

> there is basically no incentive for them to fight the summons Ehhh, seems to me a cloud provider that wants to back up my documents, communications, photos, passkeys etc has a very strong business case for ensuring the data is as safe with them as they would be in my own home.

They have an incentive to maintain a perception that it is at least as safe with them as any of their competitors. That isn't quite the same thing as having an incentive to protect your privacy.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#75
post #73
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wouldn't the affected individual be able to sue the provider at least in some cases? From what I understand e.g. Stored Communications Act might allow suing T-Mobile in this case, at least if the individual isn't covered by binding arbitration. And possibly even government under 18 U.S.C. §2712. Of course then it's up to judge to determine if the request was valid or not.

> least if the individual isn't covered by binding arbitration But binding arbitration is pretty standard in terms of service.

It is, but T-Mobile's terms at least used to allow you to opt out from what I remember.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#76
Honestly not sure how we escape this shit pile of fascist government organizations other than completely abolishing the DHS, ICE, and the majority of police departments at a minimum and start fresh again. But I don't see that happening without a complete upheaval and downfall of both major political parties which seems even more unlikely.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#77
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OP contradicts your theory: "In Fort’s case, Google did not comply with the summons for any of the accounts. The company responded to the DHS by saying it had not offered evidence of how it was related to a customs investigation." > companies such as Google make business decisions, not moral decisions The world is more complicated than that; they make both kinds of decisions and many decisions aren't clearly in o…

> human responsibility Not sure what this means. I think you meant to write "fiduciary duty": the company's board have an affirmative legal obligation to act in the interest of stockholders, regardless of moral impact.

No , you're spreading misinformation [0]. The company's board does not have a legal obligation to "act in the interest of stockholders regardless of moral impact" in any meaningful manner. Anything, including "positive moral impact", can be spun as being in the interest of shareholders. What you're implying is a legal duty towards short-term profit maximization. Absolutely nothing of the sort exists.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48975048

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#78

Honestly not sure how we escape this shit pile of fascist government organizations other than completely abolishing the DHS, ICE, and the majority of police departments at a minimum and start fresh again. But I don't see that happening without a complete upheaval and downfall of both major political parties which seems even more unlikely.

The democrats are completely complacent right now. They don’t even want to pretend to fight anymore.

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#79

Honestly not sure how we escape this shit pile of fascist government organizations other than completely abolishing the DHS, ICE, and the majority of police departments at a minimum and start fresh again. But I don't see that happening without a complete upheaval and downfall of both major political parties which seems even more unlikely.

The democrats are completely complacent right now. They don’t even want to pretend to fight anymore.

democrats thought they don't need competence as long as they have the "political correctness" magic wand.

Looks like they were wrong! Thankfully!

Re: DHS is using obscure law to snoop on journalists, non-profits, unions

#80

Domestic terrorists do exist. And Don Lemon got kicked out of the CNN. Not surprised he’s mentioned here. Not everything is an abuse of power.

Definitely we need to arrest and after a trial jail, and if necessary hang the terrorists in DHS.
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