by Robert Whitcomb | Jun 24, 2016 | Initiative
New research is being used to try to determine, via an algorithm, the links between “chatter” in extremist groups’ online places and their “real world” terror attacks.
The Washington Post reports:
“The study, published last week by the journal Science, identifies hardcore pro-Islamic State groups on social media by searching for key words, such as mentions of beheadings, and zeroing in on specific community pages and groups. These groups trade operational information, such as which drone is being used in an attack or how to avoid detection, as well as fundraising posts and extremist ideology.”
To read The Post’s article, please hit this link.
by Robert Whitcomb | Jun 24, 2016 | AI World Society Summit
The European Union and the United States have agreed on changes to an important data-transfer agreement. The pact includes stricter rules for companies holding information on Europeans and clearer limits on U.S. surveillance.
E.U. member nations are expected to vote on the revised E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield in early July.
Reuters reported that “Cross-border data transfers by businesses include payroll and human resources information as well as lucrative data used for targeted online advertising….”
However, revelations of mass U.S. surveillance practices three years ago intensified distrust of such huge big U.S. tech companies as Facebook, Google and Apple.
“Brussels and Washington rushed to hammer out the data pact after the E.U.’s highest court last year struck down the previous system, Safe Harbor, on concerns about mass U.S. surveillance practices, threatening data flows that are key to billions of dollars of business,” Reuters reported.
“For 15 years Safe Harbor allowed both U.S. and European firms to get around tough E.U. data transferral rules by stating they complied with European privacy standards when storing information on U.S. servers.”
To read the Reuters article, please hit this link.
by Robert Whitcomb | Jun 23, 2016 | News
In this video, James Stavridis, dean of the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, explains in this video why cyberinsecurity is the biggest threat to the United States.
To see and hear him, please hit this link.
by Robert Whitcomb | Jun 23, 2016 | News
Reuters reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Idris Dayo Mustapha, a British man it said hacked into several American investors’ online brokerage accounts and made unauthorized stock trades.
A federal judge froze his assets after the lawsuit was filed.
To read the Reuters story on this case, please hit this link.
by Robert Whitcomb | Jun 23, 2016 | News
Facebook czar Mark Zuckerberg covers his laptop camera and microphone with tape. You probably should too.
To read The Guardian’s story on this, please hit this link.
