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EU to legislate about Chat Control behind closed doors
a month ago
- European Parliament President Roberta Metsola's push to resurrect 'Chat Control 1.0' disregards the Parliament's earlier rejection, threatening democratic processes.
- Final trilogue negotiations on 'Chat Control 2.0' risk concessions leading to mass scanning of private messages, warrantless scanning orders, and the end of anonymous communications.
- Civil society has relaunched fightchatcontrol.eu to enable citizens to email EU lawmakers, opposing undemocratic backroom deals and advocating for privacy and fundamental rights.
Say No to Online Age Verification
23 days ago
- Age verification systems require submitting sensitive personal data to third-party companies to access certain online content, starting with adult sites and expanding to social media and beyond.
- Anonymous speech is essential for protecting vulnerable groups like whistleblowers and political dissidents; age verification leads to self-censorship and chills free expression.
- Privacy is compromised as data breaches expose IDs, selfies, and other personal information, with systems enabling surveillance under the guise of child safety.
- Laws mandating age verification have spread globally from Louisiana in 2023 to multiple countries, targeting increasingly broad areas like AI chatbots and VPNs.
- Children's rights to access information and free speech are undermined by age verification, which restricts their ability to explore ideas and seek knowledge online.
- Counterarguments highlight that age verification expands in scope, creates surveillance infrastructure, and fails to protect data, with alternatives like privacy laws and parental controls being more effective.
- Action steps include contacting lawmakers to oppose age verification mandates, using provided email templates to advocate for free expression and privacy.
Android is almost dead – OSnews
20 days ago
- Google's Android Developer Verifier (ADV) process acts as a virus installed on Android 8+ devices, awaiting remote activation.
- ADV runs as a system service with root privileges, cannot be blocked or removed, and is spread via Play Protect.
- Once activated, ADV blocks software from developers not approved by Google, threatening F-Droid and open-source repositories.
- Concerns include the end of openness on Android, increased pressure from the Google-Apple duopoly, and loss of user control.
- Potential responses include EU regulation, but skepticism exists due to global acceptance of Apple's restrictions.
- Discussion of new mobile OSes, but hardware lockdowns (like fused roots) and government approvals hinder alternatives.
- MicroG is a FOSS replacement for Google Play Services, but third-party apps often require Google services, limiting its use.
- Debate ties into broader issues: digital IDs, government surveillance, and corporate control over computing freedoms.
- Comparisons note Windows and x86 PCs as currently more open than Android or macOS in running unsigned executables.
- Strategies to avoid Google reliance include skipping login, disabling Google apps, using F-Droid, and avoiding bank apps on Android.
Stop the GUARD Act and age verification laws worldwide
12 days ago
- Age verification laws are often justified as protecting children, but may not effectively solve the intended problems and can have severe consequences for digital freedoms.
- The GUARD Act in the U.S. would mandate age verification for chatbot services, potentially enabling surveillance and threatening software freedom, including free machine learning development.
- Age verification requirements could force even small free software projects to implement restrictive technologies, undermining Freedom 0—the right to use software for any purpose.
- Activists urge calling senators to oppose such legislation and highlight upcoming International Day Against DRM on July 17th to raise awareness and seek support.

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digital rights

EU to legislate about Chat Control behind closed doors

Say No to Online Age Verification

Android is almost dead – OSnews

Stop the GUARD Act and age verification laws worldwide