Login.gov sounds like a great idea: a single way to access services provided by numerous federal agencies, like passports and small-business loans. But its creation was stymied by a simple problem: “the government” isn’t a monolithic institution. It’s a complex web of independent agencies that often can’t share personal information thanks to the Privacy Act […]
Tag: technology
No, the FBI didn’t bribe Twitter
There’s been a lot of irresponsible faux journalism surrounding the “Twitter Files,” a batch of internal company documents that Elon Musk released to a couple of handpicked friendly bloggers. But a Twitter thread earlier today claimed that the FBI paid Twitter to influence the social media company’s content moderation decisions. It’s one of the more […]
Russia exploits Telegram security flaw to surveil Ukrainian operative
Information security expert Matt Tait has a fascinating piece on Russia’s exploitation of a security flaw in the chat app Telegram to surveil an operative working with Ukraine’s special forces. Tait analyzes the details in a Washington Post story to evaluate Russia’s access and capabilities. Here’s the bottom line:
(more…)Telegram is not safe to use as a chat or call app. It nearly cost [the Ukrainian operative] his life. Ukrainians—and frankly everyone else too—should find another encrypted application for chats and calls.
Matt Tait
Export controls on China-bound tech
In October, the Department of Commerce announced new rules designed limit China’s access to advanced microchips and semiconductors. Lawfare has an explainer that lays out its most important parts and the changes it makes to current policy. First, it imposes new controls targeting chips above certain performance thresholds, computer commodities containing those chips, and so-called […]