The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Nov. 29 voted 8 to 3 to approve on first reading a policy that would formally authorize the San Francisco Police Department to deploy deadly force via remote-controlled robots. The majority fell down the rabbit hole of security theater: doing anything to appear to be fighting crime, regardless…
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote soon on a policy that would allow the San Francisco Police Department to use deadly force by arming its many robots. This is a spectacularly dangerous idea and EFF’s stance is clear: police should not arm robots. Police technology goes through mission creep–meaning equipment reserved only for…
The Algerian authorities must ensure that the investigation into the enforced disappearance for 20 days of activist Abdelhamid Bouziza, is independent, effective and impartial, Amnesty International said today. Judicial authorities in Tlemcen ordered the opening of an investigation in November, however in at least three cases documented by Amnesty International, investigations into human rights violations […] The post Algeria: Ensure effective and impartial investigation into activist disappearance appeared first on Amnesty International.
Billionaire Elon Musk says Twitter can be an “incredibly valuable service to the world,” a global forum where ideas and debates flourish. Yet, much of what he has done since taking over the company suggests that he doesn’t understand how to accomplish this, doesn’t appreciate the impact of his decisions on users—especially the most vulnerable—or…
The latest version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is focused on removing online information that people need to see—people of all ages. Letting governments—state or federal—decide what information anyone needs to see is a dangerous endeavor. On top of that, this bill, supposedly designed to protect our privacy, actually requires tech companies to…
Responding to the news that the Saudi Arabian authorities today executed two Pakistani nationals for drug-related crimes, the first such executions since the country’s Human Rights Commission announced a moratorium on the use of the death penalty for drug-related crimes in January 2021, Diana Semaan, Amnesty International’s Acting Deputy Director for the Middle East and […] The post Saudi Arabia: Execution of two Pakistani nationals is callous attack on right to life appeared first on Amnesty International.
In August, the Tulsa police department held a press conference about how its new Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), a controversial piece of surveillance technology, was the policing equivalent of “turning the lights on” for the first time. In Ontario, California, the city put out a press release about how its ALPRs were a “vital…
For over thirty years, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has awarded those paving the way for freedom and innovation in the digital world. Countless luminaries working in digital privacy and free speech gathered for this Pioneer Award Ceremony in San Francisco over the decades. This year, we are excited to relaunch that annual celebration as…
Rishi Sunak’s failure to appoint ethics adviser means ministers are unable to comply with twice-yearly requirement
Brunswick, an adviser to UN ‘climate champions’, has been accused of ‘enabling the fossil fuel industry’s deception’
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Nov. 29 voted 8 to 3 to approve on first reading a policy that would formally authorize the San Francisco Police Department to deploy deadly force via remote-controlled robots. The majority fell down the rabbit hole of security theater: doing anything to appear to be fighting crime, regardless…
Key workers told openDemocracy they are being paid months late or not in full due to a controversial healthcare reform
Trump kept government documents he took from the White House hidden at his Mar-a-Lago estate for over a year and a half.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote soon on a policy that would allow the San Francisco Police Department to use deadly force by arming its many robots. This is a spectacularly dangerous idea and EFF’s stance is clear: police should not arm robots. Police technology goes through mission creep–meaning equipment reserved only for…
Qatar’s migrant workers died, but their families struggle on
Revealed: Records show the FCDO’s British International Investment fund has continued to back major polluters
More than 40% of asylum seekers may be unable to access legal aid, despite the vast majority needing such support
This COP made no clear commitment to decarbonisation and stopping the climate disasters that cause loss and damage
With Albanians’ migration to the UK in the spotlight, the demographic crisis at home has Albanians fearing for their country’s future
OPINION: We won’t solve gun violence until we accept that the US right is a threat to democracy and human rights
The Algerian authorities must ensure that the investigation into the enforced disappearance for 20 days of activist Abdelhamid Bouziza, is independent, effective and impartial, Amnesty International said today. Judicial authorities in Tlemcen ordered the opening of an investigation in November, however in at least three cases documented by Amnesty International, investigations into human rights violations […] The post Algeria: Ensure effective and impartial investigation into activist disappearance appeared first on Amnesty International.
Billionaire Elon Musk says Twitter can be an “incredibly valuable service to the world,” a global forum where ideas and debates flourish. Yet, much of what he has done since taking over the company suggests that he doesn’t understand how to accomplish this, doesn’t appreciate the impact of his decisions on users—especially the most vulnerable—or…
The Tories pledged to end section 21 evictions in 2019. Tens of thousands have paid the price for their slow progress
openDemocracy analysis reveals extent of Qatar’s charm offensive in the decade leading up to the World Cup
The latest version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is focused on removing online information that people need to see—people of all ages. Letting governments—state or federal—decide what information anyone needs to see is a dangerous endeavor. On top of that, this bill, supposedly designed to protect our privacy, actually requires tech companies to…
OPINION: Border policies and hellish journeys are meant to control African movement in space and time
openDemocracy’s new film BOOMERANG, exploring the legacies of empire through Liverpool’s docks, is available online
On Ukraine, little separates Putin’s United Russia from either the Communist Party of Russia or A Just Russia
Exclusive: NHS gaps are seemingly being filled ‘at the expense of poorer countries’ with larger staffing shortfalls
In August, the Tulsa police department held a press conference about how its new Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), a controversial piece of surveillance technology, was the policing equivalent of “turning the lights on” for the first time. In Ontario, California, the city put out a press release about how its ALPRs were a “vital…
For over thirty years, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has awarded those paving the way for freedom and innovation in the digital world. Countless luminaries working in digital privacy and free speech gathered for this Pioneer Award Ceremony in San Francisco over the decades. This year, we are excited to relaunch that annual celebration as…