Archive for the 'Technology' Category
U.S. Military Does Deal with Microsoft for Windows 8 and Other Software
January 5th, 2013Since Windows 8 is a bigger turd than Vista, it must be nice for Microsoft to be able to dump it on the U.S. taxpayer via Uncle $cam. Via: U.S. Department of Defense: The Defense Department has leveraged the buying power of more than two million information technology users to award a three-year, $617 million […]
Write Gambling Software, Go to Prison
January 3rd, 2013Via: Wired: In a criminal case sure to make programmers nervous, a software maker who licenses a program used by online casinos and bookmakers overseas is being charged with promoting gambling in New York because authorities say his software was used by others for illegal betting in that state. New York authorities say that about […]
Military Must Prep Now for ‘Mutant’ Future
January 3rd, 2013Via: Wired: The U.S. military is already using, or fast developing, a wide range of technologies meant to give troops what California Polytechnic State University researcher Patrick Lin calls “mutant powers.” Greater strength and endurance. Superior cognition. Better teamwork. Fearlessness. But the risk, ethics and policy issues arising out of these so-called “military human enhancements” […]
China Is Turning Its ISPs Into Internet Police
December 31st, 2012Via: ExtremeTech: Scary new legislation that was recently approved will effectively turn China’s ISPs into the internet police. Now, ISPs will be forced to delete content deemed illegal and file a report with the government. This troubling legislation requires individuals to register with ISPs using their real name and contact information — even a copy […]
DHS VIPR Team and Possible DHS Drone at Football Game
December 31st, 2012Via: HongPong: Things are a little strange at the Vikings/Packers Game today. A drone has been photographed hovering around the Metrodome fan plaza on the west side, and a Homeland Security / TSA “VIPR” team has been hanging around as well, indicating the federal government is shifting into “protecting” the major Spectacles at taxpayer expense. […]
Anonymous Drone Photos Lead to Indictment for Texas Polluters
December 29th, 2012Via: Slashdot: In January of this year, we posted news of a major pollution site in Texas that was the subject of some anonymous amateur sleuths with drones, who used their UAVs to document the release of a “river of blood” (pig blood, that is) into the Trinity River as it flows through Dallas. Now, […]
Computer Crime Groups Thoroughly Infiltrated by FBI
December 29th, 2012Via: Guardian: The underground world of computer hackers has been so thoroughly infiltrated in the US by the FBI and secret service that it is now riddled with paranoia and mistrust, with an estimated one in four hackers secretly informing on their peers, a Guardian investigation has established. Cyber policing units have had such success […]
Warrantless Wiretaps? Congress Votes Yes
December 29th, 2012Via: Ars Technica: US Senators from both parties overwhelmingly approved a bill this morning that will authorize warrantless wiretaps, throughout 2013 and for four years beyond that. Supporters of the bill, including Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA), insisted it should be passed without amendment, in order to avoid having it sent back to […]
The Spy State Tightens Its Grip
December 28th, 2012Via: AlterNet: These are just four examples of an increasing number of efforts among various federal entities, including the Congress and Supreme Court, to expand the power of the U.S. government to spy on American citizens. Recent initiatives by three of the lead agencies engaged in citizen surveillance — National Security Agency (NSA), Department of […]
Congress, at Last Minute, Drops Requirement to Obtain Warrant to Monitor Email
December 26th, 2012Via: AllGov: The federal government will continue to access Americans’ emails without a warrant, after the U.S. Senate dropped a key amendment to legislation now headed to the White House for approval. More: Congress Defeats E-Mail Privacy Legislation — Again
