Genetic Testing Kits: Unprecedented Privacy Risks
Consumer genetic testing puts sensitive, irreplaceable data about you—and unwitting members of your family—in places you can’t control.
Category: Law
When Developers Can’t Explain Their AI, Laws No Longer Apply
The hows and whys of the decisions of machine-learning algorithms are increasingly opaque, even to their programmers. That makes laws and norms increasingly difficult to apply.
He Started #DeleteFacebook… Nine Years Ago
Nine years ago, three artists created a controversial site to make a statement about Facebook’s practices. The company sued and accused them of scraping data. Oh, the irony.
New AI Paper Warns of Malicious Intent
A new report on AI examines what might happen when bad actors deliberately misuse the technology. Despite its importance, politicians may not be paying attention.
Portland Becomes First US City to Stop Fossil Fuel Expansion
Responding to powerful grass-roots activism, Portland’s government passed a law, recently upheld by the Oregon Court of Appeals, to arrest further construction or expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the city.
CCTV: A View on Surveillance From Britain
British citizens may be the most visually surveilled people in the West, with an estimated one camera for every ten people. Critical awareness may slowly be dawning, but will it make any difference?
The AT&T-Time Warner Suit: Is Antitrust Back?
After years of seeming government indifference to ever-larger monopolistic firms, the DOJ has filed suit against the proposed merger between AT&T and Time Warner. Does this signal a much-needed resurgence of antitrust action? Or is it a one-off?
The Proud Luddite
The word Luddite has a long history as a derogatory term. But it has little to do with the real history of the Luddites, who seem more relevant than ever.
Help End Section 702 Surveillance
Section 702 of 2008’s FISA Amendment Act, the basis of an enormous surveillance program, is about to lapse. A new bill, the USA Rights Act, would fix it.
America Should Send Amazon Packing
Amazon has destroyed businesses, mistreated employees, lowered wages, manipulated markets, and virtually censored books. Now they want a giant handout.