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Human Rights

Parents’ ban Wi-Fi In New Zealand School

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One of the problems unique to the 21st century has involved the clammoring over potential health-risks posed by WiFi signals. Parents in a New Zealand have decided to take things into their own hands to protect their kids from these risks.

“Two parents in New Zealand have orchestrated the removal of a school’s Wi-Fi system. They have expressed the concerns that Wi-Fi causes cancer and other health issues. The child of one of these parents died recently from brain cancer. This appears to be an emotional area and one where decisions appear to be being made without evidence. The NZ Ministry of Education provides guidelines for the safe use of Wi-Fi in schools and the school itself was operating within those guidelines.”

Although commonly cited in populare media, the actual effects of wi-fi signals on people is unknown. The following link offers a good rebuke to those that suggest they are harmful: http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/1178/are-wifi-waves-harmful

via Slashdot

Photo courtesy of Don McCullough on Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/photos/69214385@N04/
Human Rights

US drone operator: ‘We always wonder if we killed the right people’

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There are few topics hotter right now in the world of security and privacy than the proliferation of drone technology.

To add fuel to the fire, The Gaurdian has published a report of a former US drone operator openly questioning the US drone program. An Air Force analyst for nearly 4 years, Heather Linebaugh says that the people calling the shots on the program don’t have a first-hand perspective on the brutality and casualties inflicted.

“I wish I could ask them a few questions,” Linebaugh writes. “I’d start with: ‘How many women and children have you seen incinerated by a Hellfire missile?’”

‘The program has become increasingly controversial in recent months, with the Defense Department effectively canceling a drone piloting medal. Earlier this month, a strike in Yemen mistook a wedding party for an Al Qaeda gathering, mistakenly killing at least 13 civilians.’

via The Verge

Photo courtesy of Antana on Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/photos/105644709@N08/
Global Development

Chinese hackers create malware to steal Bitcoins

On the heels of China’s announcement of not recognizing Bitcoin as a currency (and the subsequent near 50% drop in the currency’s value), Trusteer has discovered a Zeus P2P/Gameover variant mallware that is designed specifically to steal the passwords of bBitcoin traders. The strain actively targets BTC China.

The strain acts as a dormant entity, waiting until a victom logs in to the BTC China website. The malware takes the victim’s user namd and password and suspends the session. The user name and password are then use to access the wallet details, giving the malware complete access to the person’s funds, with the person having no resources to fight back.

‘The arrival of the Bitcoin-targeting malware variant came shortly before BTC China, China’s largest exchange, began blocking new deposits.’

via The Register

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Photo courtesy of Guillaume Speurt on Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/photos/guillaumespeurt/
Human Rights

France joins the fray: Article 20 opens the gate for institutionalized surveillance

Europe has been saved from the brunt of criticism against civilian surveillance largely because of the EU’s vocal ciriticism of the US. They have, however, joined the fray at last. Article 20 (formerly Article 13), a policy in the works in France, is one which sanctions and almost encourages institutionalized surveillance of open communication.

La Quadrature du Net, a French publication focusing on internet technologies and open information is spearheading the critique against this policy. The following is an exerpt from their report, and a link to their support portal.

“La Quadrature du Net thanks all those who contributed to the opposition to this article.

It calls for the continuation of the fight against surveillance of our communications on the Internet by any means: before parliament or judges, through technology and usage choices.

Many other steps will enable citizens to continue the fight against the development of a generalised surveillance, which has become a tool for political powers unable to act for the common good.

But it is on the political and usage fronts that our rights and freedoms will be determined.”

via La Quadrature

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