Parrot’s latest drones are for farmers and firefighters

It’s been a tough year for Parrot. The drone maker cut 290 jobs after sub-par sales, and it wasn’t shy in admitting that its lineup was both unfocused and (for personal drones) unprofitable. However, it has an idea as to how to recover: by targeting the professional crowd. Its new Bebop-Pro Thermal and Bluegrass drones include equipment tailored to specific needs. The Bebop, as its name implies, includes a thermal imaging camera and matching software alongside the usual video cam. It’s meant to help firefighters and rescue crews pinpoint sources of heat, whether it’s a blaze or a person trapped under rubble. There’s also a long-range remote control in the box to keep pilots well out of harm’s way.

The Bluegrass, meanwhile, is geared toward agriculture. It includes a multispectral sensor and flight planning software to help farmers monitor their fields without sending someone to check in person. An individual drone can cover about 74 acres on a single charge, according to Parrot. Naturally, the long-distance remote is also part of the package.

Parrot isn’t mentioning prices, although it’s safe to say you probably won’t be picking up either drone for personal use. There’s no secret as to why Parrot would make this move, at least. Pro drones are more a question of need than want, and it’s easier to charge a premium when there’s less competition than in the home space. The challenge is simply fending off the competition that does exist. Heavyweights like DJI are already making industrial drones, and they’re not about to take a new rival lightly.

Source: Parrot (Bebob-Pro Thermal), (Bluegrass)

FTC loosens guidelines to let kids use voice commands

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act bars companies from collecting audio recordings from kids under 13 without their parents’ permission. However, that raises concerns about voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant: is it legal for under-13s to use voice commands, given that there’s rarely (if ever) a permanent recording to put them at risk? According to the Federal Trade Commision, the answer is yes… within limits. The agency has stated that it won’t pursue enforcement action against companies simply because they let kids issue voice commands. So long as the firms only hold on to recordings for a brief moment and use them solely for voice commands, they’ll usually be in the clear.

The restrictions pop up when companies start asking for sensitive info or otherwise venture outside of those above-mentioned boundaries. COPPA still applies when companies ask for names and other personal data, and they have to outline how they collect, use and delete audio in their privacy policies. And as you might expect, companies can only use recordings for personal info if they want to avoid running afoul of regulations.

The change prevents companies from treating children exactly the same as they would adults, but it’s still a big deal for anyone making voice assistants and the smart speakers that use them. They don’t have to require parents’ permission before pre-teens are allowed to use these assistants, or prevent that younger audience from using the voice helpers altogether. The FTC’s main challenge is ensuring that companies don’t try to misuse this newfound freedom and collect more data than they should.

Source: FTC

‘Hitman: Game of the Year Edition’ adds new ‘Patient Zero’ campaign

When developer IO Interactive separated from publisher Square Enix, it got to keep the popular Hitman franchise, giving the now-independent studio control over the 2016 stealth shooter game it developed. Back in June, the company released the first episode of Hitman for free to attract new customers, and now it’s putting out a “Game of the Year” version of the game for PS4, Xbox One and PC on November 7th. The new edition will include the entire first season, a brand new ‘Patient Zero’ campaign, new Escalation Contracts, new weapons, new suits, new challenges and improved graphic and lighting effects.

IO Interactive’s first new content release for Hitman since it went independent will contain all seven locations and more than 100 hours of gameplay, including all of the original Challenge Packs, Escalation & Featured Contracts and more than 700 challenges. The “Patient Zero” campaign is entirely new, too. It’s got four missions to play through across various in-game locations as Agent 47 has to stop a global pandemic from being unleashed on an unsuspecting planet. The new edition also includes three weapon/suit combinations, the Clown suit and the “New Bat,” the Raven suit and sniper rifle “Sieger 300 Ghost,” and a Cowboy suit with magnum pistol “The Striker.” If that’s not enough, you’ll get new themed Escalation Contracts that bring new complications based on the suit you’re sporting.

Hitman – Game of the Year Edition will be available starting November 7th for $60 digitally. If you already own The Complete Season, digital or on disc, you can grab a “GOTY Upgrade” and get the rest of the good stuff for only $20. The offer is also good for those who bought all episodes individually or bought the Intro/Upgrade Pack combination. There’s also an update in the works for anyone who has the game of any version, including a redesigned UI, new Contracts Mode, all the extra lighting improvements, a commemorative Elusive Target unlock for those who completed those specific challenges, enhancements for the Xbox One X, and Tobii eye-tracking support for PC.

Via: Vice

Source: IO Interactive

Still need an outfit for Halloween? Check out these 3D-printed costumes

So it’s getting closer to Halloween and you’re scrambling for a costume idea, or you’re missing that special piece to tie it all together. Well, instead of frantically buzzing around town looking for the right shop with the right stuff, have you considered 3D printed Halloween costumes? Fire up that printer and check out our list of 3D-printable masks and costume pieces to get all geared up for this year’s spooking.

Venetian mask  — bq Labs

Going for a classier look this year? This Venetian mask would pair nicely with that gown you picked up that one time from the Goodwill bins.

Low polygon mask — Carlos Porto

Or how about something a little more stiff-chinned, like this ‘low polygon’-style mask. Easily customized and sturdy as heck, this is a good foundation for plenty of costumes.

Rick Sanchez full mask — EasilyUsed

There will probably be a lot of Ricks out there this year — take the win with this amazing mask! Definitely one of the most impressive 3D-printed masks we’ve seen.

Full-face skull mask — Andrew Askedall

Here’s a spookier one to finish off a Grim Reaper costume, Skeletor, or Marvel’s Red Skull.

‘The Mask’ mask — Byambaa Erdene

For a different approach to a classic costume, go as the confused Stanley Ipkiss from Jim Carrey’s The Mask — pre-green face.

Shaman mask — Alejandro

Need a mask to tie together your shaman or wendigo outfit? This full fox skull is just the trick — albeit this is one of the larger prints in this list. The two-part jaw with a fully articulated jaw is definitely worth the filament you’ll burn through, though!

Splicer bunny mask — Audrey2

Are you a fan of the Bioshock series, bunnies, or creepy half masks? Then this one has got you covered with an unnerving upper-half masquerade rabbit mask.

Dark mask — bq Labs

This two-piece mask is perfect for tying together any generic scary murderer costume you have laying around. The hinged jaw also allows for you to keep drinking while you’re spooking!

Wolf mask — CuriosGreg

This full wolf mask is one of the bigger prints on this list, but can be just the right touch you need to tie your Teen Wolf or Little Red Riding Hood costumes together.

LED horns — Adafruit Industries

Don’t need a full mask, but want to light your outfit up with a little devilish flare? These LED horns can easily be fitted to your headgear of choice this year and not only will they look cool — the’ll also help you stay visible and avoid becoming roadkill.

Cat ears — TeamTestBot

Horns aren’t what you’re looking for? Or maybe you’re just really into cats? Here is a simple print for some cat ears to get your inner anime on.

Demon baby — Taikonaught

Got a bun in the oven this year and hoping to plan a costume around that? This simple three-part print slipped under your shirt will definitely get you some double takes!

Unicorn horn — Phraust

This one is pretty straightforward. It’s a unicorn horn with strap loops. Everyone should own one, regardless of your costume this year. I mean, c’mon.

Bugged-out eyeballs — Stephen Kongsle

How about an item that you can just wear with an expression? These bugged-out eyeballs can turn an everyday outfit, plus some moves, can make this the costume solution for you.

Moustache for low poly mask — Yvo Waldmeier

If you liked the low-poly mask from earlier in the article, but it wasn’t quite suave enough for you, try out this mustache and eyebrow addition for some more personality!

Pokeball  — Andrew Sink

Going as your favorite Pokemon trainer this year, but short on Pokeballs for your belt? Check out this print for a fun design with a magnetic clasp!

Editor’s Recommendations

• Don’t know what to be? Check out these hilarious inflatable Halloween costumes
• Snapchat’s dancing augmented reality hot dog is now a Halloween costume
• Facebook Camera gets a virtual haunted house game featuring your face
• Best Halloween apps for the ultimate spooky October 31
• Lexus and Marvel team up for new Black Panther car and graphic novel

From true crime to comedy, these are the best podcasts around

Podcasts are awesome (even if they may finally kill radio). You can stream or download them and listen to them at home on your computer, or on an iPhone on your way to work. Plus, they cover just about every topic you can think of. The only thing not to love? There are so many to pick from. We’ve compiled a list of the best podcasts around — covering a variety of topics — so you can spend less time fumbling through the bad and more time listening to the good.

New to podcasts? Here’s our guide to what exactly they are and how to listen.

News

‘Cited‘

This documentary-style podcast asks experts and educational professionals questions you would never think there were scholarly answers for. Are racists crazy? Can heroin be used to help stop heroin addiction? These are just a few of the topics hosts Gordon Katic and Sam Fenn explore in their one-hour segments.

Available via:

Soundcloud iTunes RSS Stitcher

‘Undisclosed‘

The justice system doesn’t always work, and podcasts like Undisclosed are there to make sure we don’t forget. Undisclosed takes the listener through the investigation, trial, and verdict of controversial cases, such as the death of Freddie Gray, with meticulous detail that makes every episode sound ripe for a multipart TV documentary.

Available via:

Audioboom iTunes RSS Stitcher

‘PRI’s The World‘

The World is Public Radio International’s daily news show. What makes it a stand out is how the reports connect listeners to topics and people from around in the world in surprising ways — making bus riders in Bogota relevant to morning commuters in San Francisco — while covering some of the most interesting stories of the day.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Global News‘

This podcasts features just what the name implies — news from around the globe. It consists of a pair of 30-minute news broadcasts compiled twice a day from the 24-hours news coverage offered by the BBC World Service.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Left, Right & Center‘

Left, Right & Center is a weekly 30-min podcast assembled by Los Angeles radio station KCRW. The debate forum of the podcast allows Josh Barrow, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Rich Lowry, and their special guest to analyze politics, policy, and culture from every angle.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Democracy Now‘

The award-winning show hosted by investigative journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez is unique in it’s independence. If you took media theory 101 (or you listen to On the Media), you know just how unique and important independent news media is — making this arguably the most essential news podcast of the bunch.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Slate Political Gabfest‘

Slate’s Political Gabfest is a weekly news roundup featuring discussions between host David Plotz and, usually, John Dickerson and Emily Bazelon. Their political analysis is on point and their repartee adds some levity to the top stories of the week.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘On the Media‘

Award-winning On the Media is one of the only shows dedicated to covering media news. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield talk about how the news is covered, regulated, and disseminated. They examine threats to free speech, the element of transparency, and hidden agendas with both intrigue and authority.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘The Takeaway‘

The Takeaway, hosted by Emmy and Peabody winner John Hockenberry, hosts conversations about the topics that matter with national news leaders. Live reports from the field and listener call-ins round out the show and provide an extremely diverse analysis.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Reveal‘

As investigative reporting gradually vanishes from American print and broadcast news, podcasts and radio try to pick up the mantle. Reveal, the Center for Investigative Reporting’s radio show and dedicated podcast, is one such example. The hourlong show aims a spotlight at each topic it covers, remaining interesting and analytical while covering urgent and relevant topics.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Citizen Radio‘

If the daily news leaves you feeling frustrated and depressed, Citizen Radio might be the podcast for you. The show covers news mainstream media often neglects, in a similar fashion to Democracy Now, but with a lot more swearing and humor. Journalist Allison Kilkenny and comedian Jaime Kilstein navigate the show between righteous outrage and comedic analysis.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Vox’s The Weeds‘

News website Vox’s brand-spankin’-new podcast, The Weeds, digs into the nitty gritty of policy thoroughly enough to satiate even the biggest policy nerds. In a conversational format, editors Ezra Klien and Sarah Kliff — along with writer and policy buff Matthew Yglesias — discuss how policy changes the public, and in turn, how the public changes policy.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

Comedy

‘My Brother, My Brother, and Me‘

In this hilarious podcast, three brothers — Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy — field questions and concerns from listeners, and give some of the funniest advice you will hear in a podcast. Their thoughts on talking dogs, Carly Rae Jepsen, and “sushi candy” might not be the most appropriate, but they will make you laugh.

Available via:

iTunes Stitcher RSS

‘WTF with Marc Maron‘

We all have “WTF” moments in our lives and Marc Maron is just pointing a few of them out. His twice-weekly podcast, usually recorded in his LA garage, consists of him talking with comedic friends, writers and celebrity guests.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Judge John Hodgman‘

Humorist John Hodgman’s podcast is like no other. The show sees him adjudicating trivial domestic disputes within a simulated courtroom, complete with real-life sound effects and the balmy Jesse Thorn as the bailiff.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘The Bugle‘

This satirical “audio newspaper” stars former Daily Show correspondent John Oliver and comedian Andy Zaltzman. It delves into global news, except with more rants and wit than you’d ever expect.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Dead Authors Podcast‘

Do you like literature, comedy, or Paul F. Tompkins? If you said yes to any of those, you should listen to this podcast. If you said yes to all three of those options, then you probably already are listening to this podcast.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘How Did This Get Made‘

Three comedians get together, often with their comedian friends, and watch some of the worst movies ever made. It’s like Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the radio, minus the robots and the heavy focus on B movies. In fact, part of what’s so hilarious about How Did This Get Made? is that many of the crappy movies were intended to be blockbusters. Winter’s Tale, anyone?

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Throwing Shade‘

Hosts Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi discuss the issues most important to women and gays with hilarious irreverence. Often explicit, always germane, Throwing Shade rightfully calls out of bigotry and sexism within a tightly-rolled comedic wrapper.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

Music

‘The Combat Jack Show‘

As one of the longest-running hip-hop podcasts, The Combat Jack Show has evolved into a well-regarded source for quality entertainment discussions. Host Reggie Ossé interviews a myriad of guests — including Get Out director Jordan Peele about the black Hollywood Renaissance and former Baltimore police officer Michael A Woods Jr. about police corruption — in sharp and witty ways.

Available via:

iTunes Soundcloud Stitcher

‘Rap Radar Podcast‘

In Rap Radar Podcast, Brian ‘B. Dot’ Miller and former XXL editor-in-chief Elliott Wilson speak to a variety of guests in the entertainment business about nearly everything under the sun. One week they’re talking with Hamilton’s Lin Manuel Miranda about making a mixtape, and the next they’re speaking with A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg about recent run-ins with the law.

Available via:

iTunes RSS Play.it Stitcher

‘All Songs Considered‘

Bob Boilen and Robert Hilton are big names in the NPR music scene. Boilen’s show introduces listeners to all genres of music, from that emerging Latin America band you’ve never heard of, to the more mainstream indie fixes.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Music That Matters‘

Seattle’s’ KEXP is constantly at the forefront of broadcasting new alternative and indie music. The show features both prominent and emerging artists from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Above & Beyond‘

Electronic music more your thing? Then Above & Beyond is where it’s at. The London DJ trio Above & Beyond hosts the weekly two-hour show, bringing in 30-minute guest mixes from some of their favorite artists.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Morning Becomes Eclectic‘

Morning Becomes Eclectic is a great way to open your ears to something new. One minute you can be listening to progressive synth-pop from Zimbabwe and the next to some jazz-fusion ensemble coming out of Soviet Russia.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Sound Opinions‘

Sometimes it’s not enough just to listen to music. We have to have opinions about it as well. Sound Opinions features music critics discussing music news, reviewing new releases, and debates about the musical merits of songs.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Song Exploder‘

Music lives and breathes in songs. Exploder takes apart a single song — its structure, inspiration, and production — with the original musicians who created it. Artists include everyone from Spoon and Garbage, to Julia Holter and Valley Lodge.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Music Popcast‘

A panel of music critics, including the New York Times‘ Ben Ratliff, discuss the latest pop news, songs, albums, and artists. It’s opinionated, sure, but the excess of music knowledge and sharp commentary make it worthwhile.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Current Song of the Day‘

Minnesota has one of the best music scenes around and a great public radio presence to boot. The Current’s Song of the Day offers upcoming artists from all over a platform one song at a time.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘NPR Microphone Check‘

If you think NPR isn’t hip enough for a hip-hop podcast, think again. Microphone Check is all about what’s happening in hip-hop culture and covers the genre in the way only NPR can.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Tiny Desk Concerts‘

Imagine your favorite band playing an unplugged concert in your living room. That’s essentially the premise behind NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. Musicians play their songs at the desk of one Bob Boilen, aka the All Songs Considered host, casting the music in a more intimate light and helping you discover new favorites.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Pop Shop‘

Hosted by Billboard co-director of charts Keith Caulfield and Billboard senior editor Katie Atkinson, the Pop Shop discusses the latest industry news and most popular tracks across the music spectrum.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

Science and philosophy

‘Open Source with Christopher Lydon‘

This podcast tackles complex issues, such as deportation and the American empire, with astute analysis and meticulous breakdowns. Open Source originally aired in 2003 with current host Christopher Lydon, and it has lost none of its muster in the time since.

Available via:

iTunes RSS Stitcher

‘Radiolab‘

Each edition of RadioLab focuses on one particular idea or concept, honing in on the people, sounds, and stories that work to bring the show to life. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich tackle scientific and philosophical topics.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Stuff You Should Know‘

This podcast is a fantastic way to learn why music provokes emotions, how black holes work, and what Subway is actually good for. The topics are interesting, entertaining, and laid out in a manner that is easy to digest.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Freakonomics Radio‘

Hosted by Stephen Dubner, co-author of the mega-bestseller of the same name, this podcast “explores the hidden side of everything” from an economical/sociological perspective.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Stuff to Blow Your Mind‘

Ever wonder how the electric eel generates juice or what trypophobia is? Julie Douglas and Robert Lamb have answers, whether talking about mind-blowing mysteries or the newest scientific revelations, in this 30-minute podcast.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘The Memory Palace‘

Each story is a perfectly told and produced bite of the past. This tiny podcast crams a million visceral responses into each episode, presenting history in a way that makes you feel as if it were recounting one of your own memories — one you’d almost forgotten but now is forever ingrained in your mind.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘The Partially Examined Life‘

Short readings that present large philosophical ideas is the general gist of this podcast. Five former philosophy students discuss the biggest philosophers and their ideas from the Western canon of the field, breaking them down in an informal roundtable discussion (read: after-lecture bar talk).

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Stuff Mom Never Told You‘

Dissecting the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of being women, Stuff Mom Never Told You presents a candid and fresh view on gender. Whether delving into feminist transphobia or following a professional dominatrix, this podcast is sharp and informative while remaining accessible.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Science Friday‘

Each episode, host Ira Flatow interviews the top scientists and inventors, ranging from Jane Goodall to Elon Musk. There’s hardly an aspect of science or technology that Science Friday hasn’t covered, too, whether it be woolly bear caterpillars, the lingering affects of sneaker innovation, or what happens to plants when jettisoned into the vastness of space.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘StarTalk‘

StarTalk is a podcast where pop culture, comedy, and science intersect. Everyone’s favorite renowned “personal astrophysicist” Neil DeGrasse Tyson invites actors, comedians, and other scientists to parse all sorts of scientific topics while he cracks slightly zany jokes

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘Hidden Brain‘

Hosted by NPR science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain illustrates the unconscious patterns behind human behavior using psychology and neurobiology.

Available via:

iTunes RSS

‘More Perfect‘

A spinoff of WNYC’s Radiolab, More Perfect focuses on the United States Supreme Court. Each episode focuses on a specific Supreme Court case, some more famous than others, examining the court’s decision-making process and the social contexts of the times. More Perfect is a fascinating look into the most secluded branch of government, and a delight for legal history enthusiasts.

Available via:

iTunes Stitcher

Editor’s Recommendations

• How to download podcasts and listen to them on Android or iOS
• The 100 best iPhone apps (October 2017)
• The 100 best iPad apps for your Apple tablet (October)
• The best Apple Watch apps to download
• Best Halloween apps for the ultimate spooky October 31

Google Lens now available for some 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL users

Last year’s Pixels get in on the Google Lens fun.

Google Lens has a long way to go before it’s ready for prime-time, but after just debuting on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, it appears that the feature is already making its way to some users of last year’s Pixel devices.

According to some Redditors, opening Google Photos recently prompted them with a message saying that they could now join Google Lens’ Pixel Preview program. The pop-up has two options near the bottom to either get started with Lens or set it up later, but should you choose to turn it on, it’ll work just like it does on the Pixel 2.

With Google Lens turned on, the information icon on any pictures in Google Photos will be replaced with a new Lens icon. When you tap that new option, Lens will scan your photos for things like books, phone numbers, addresses, artwork, and more. It doesn’t work perfectly, but then again, Google’s calling this a preview for a reason.

Lens’ integration in Google Photos is fine, but actually accessing it is still pretty clunky. Thankfully, Google will soon be adding Lens right to the Assistant in the coming weeks, and when this happens, it should be available for the Pixel 2 and first-gen Pixels alike.

Google Lens integration with Assistant to be available in ‘a few weeks’

Snapchat’s Multi-Snap feature is now available on Android

In July, Snapchat released a new feature that made it a lot easier for people to post longer videos. Rather than limiting videos to just 10 seconds, the app now allows users to record for up to 60 continuous seconds, with each 10-second increment posting as a separate video. That feature, however, has only been available on the iOS version of the app, but it has finally come to Android.

As 9to5Google reports, the Multi-Snap option became available to Android users in the last few days, joining a handful of other recent additions to the app. Snapchat just introduced an option to temporarily turn off location sharing, — a feature called Ghost Mode — Context Cards that provide more information on the locations people are tagging in their snaps and 3D Bitmoji.

In order to use Multi-Snap, just make sure you have the latest version of the app.

Via: 9to5Google

New ransomware is causing major issues across Europe and Russia

There’s a new ransomware making the rounds today with confirmed targets in Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Germany. Kaspersky Labs says that nearly 200 victims have been hit with the ransomware that’s been dubbed Bad Rabbit.

A number of cybersecurity groups — including Kaspersky Labs and researchers at ESET and Proofpoint — have stated that the attack was spread via a fake Adobe Flash update. And so far there have been reported cyberattacks on Russian media companies Interfax and Fontanka.ru. There have also been attacks on Ukraine’s Odessa airport, the Kiev subway and Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure, though it’s not immediately clear if they’re all Bad Rabbit.

Once their computers are infected with the ransomware, users are sent to a darknet site that says they must pay 0.05 bitcoin (just over $281) in order to regain access to their encrypted files. They’re given around 40 hours to make the payment before the price goes up, according to a countdown displayed on the site. Kaspersky Labs said in a post that it can’t yet confirm that Bad Rabbit is related to NotPetya, which spread around the world earlier this year, but that it did use similar methods. However, ESET, a Czech Republic-based security company said that, like NotPetya, Bad Rabbit is a variant of the Petya ransomware. Petya, NotPetya and WannaCry all spread through multiple countries earlier this year.

As of now, it’s unclear who is behind the attack.

Via: Motherboard, Windows Central

Source: Kaspersky Labs (1), (2), ESET

DOJ demands Twitter account info following discussion of an agent

Law enforcement is often eager to protect its own, but it might have overstepped its boundaries in an online case. The Department of Justice has sent a subpoena to Twitter demanding complete account info for @popehat (Ken White), @pogowasright (Dissent Doe), @dawg8u (Mike Honcho), @abtnatural (Virgil) and @associatesmind (Keith Lee) after security researcher Justin Shafer mentioned them in a tweet. While the post itself is a single smiling emoji, the DOJ believes they support cyber stalking allegations against Shafer over his response to a questionable FBI raid on his home. It’s a bit complicated, so we’ll elaborate.

It started in 2013, when Shafer found that Faircom’s data ‘encryption’ package was really just a poor attempt at obfuscating info and had exposed a dentist’s office to data theft. The researcher scored a win when the FTC settled with Faircom over false advertising, but Shafer faced an FBI raid in 2016 when another dentist’s office responded to Shafer’s disclosure of a glaring security hole (an open FTP server) by claiming he had broken the law. Shafer learned the name of one of the agents involved, Nathan Hopp, and found out that the agent was also linked to the arrest of John Rivello over the attempt to attack journalist Kurt Eichenwald with a seizure-inducing tweet.

The researcher then searched for public data on Hopp, such as family connections, and shared it on Twitter. White, Lee and the other Twitter users mentioned in the tweet had started their own discussions about Hopp, and Shafer’s one-emoji tweet was a response to Honcho’s joke that Hopp is the “least busy FBI agent of all time.” The DOJ believes that Shafer was effectively stalking Hopp by publishing the info he did, and it’s collecting info from those other users simply because they were swept up in his tweets.

@PogoWasRight 😀

— Justin Shafer (@JShafer817) March 21, 2017

If it sounds ridiculous… well, you’re not alone. The other five users weren’t the ones looking up Hopp’s info, and stalking charges would only hold up if prosecutors could prove Shafer had intended to harass or otherwise harm the FBI agent. That clearly wasn’t the case here — Shafer was looking things up out of curiosity, not as part of a doxxing attempt to punish Hopp for the raid. The comments on the criminal complaint even suggest that authorities know they don’t have a good case.

Whether or not this goes further isn’t clear. The DOJ hadn’t responded to a request for comment as of this writing, but Twitter pointed us to a tweet from Dissent Doe noting that the social network was fighting the subpoena. Still, that the subpoena exists at all is a little unsettling. Although there is the chance that Shafer’s data hunt could have led to someone targeting Hopp, the complaint and the ensuing subpoena could be seen by outsiders as excessive. Does the DOJ really need to chase after Shafer, let alone sensitive info (such as connection data) for the people he talked to online? Intentionally or not, the DOJ is implying that any discussion of law enforcement agents’ personal lives is forbidden, even if it’s strictly aspects of those lives that are public knowledge.

Grateful to @Twitter for fighting a grand jury subpoena for my info & for notifying me so I can move to quash. Boy, am I pissed right now…

— Dissent Doe (@PogoWasRight) October 20, 2017

Source: TechDirt, Justin Shafer (Twitter), Dissent Doe (Twitter)

Mark Zuckerberg is using his Facebook fortune to tackle social issues

The will-Zuckerberg-run, won’t-Zuckerberg-run-for-President speculation has driven most of the news about the Facebook cofounder this year. But he, along with his wife Priscilla Chan, have been quietly funding two particular progressive agendas with their Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) on top of its wide-spanning philanthropy. The CZI has quietly given a total of $45 million to groups addressing two specific causes: ending mass incarceration and improving affordable housing.

That news was all publicly released by CZI; Vice News made sense of the multiple announcements and painted the picture of where much of that money was being directed. Most of that $45 million went to groups addressing criminal justice and housing since January 2017, and the organization is ramping up donations, including grants to nine groups in the past five weeks.

CZI officials explained to Vice News that it donates to groups who can prove they’ve successfully brought change by lobbying for legislation, getting ballot measures passed and influence city officials. The organization has given millions to groups that funded reform of sentencing laws for nonviolent criminals, pass laws that kept youth under 18 from being tried as adults and influenced NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to announce the closing of Riker’s Island. In Facebook’s backyard, the CZI has given a grant to UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation and invested $5 million in the Y Combinator startup Landed that helps line up affordable housing for teachers.

While the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has similarly philanthropic goals as the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the CZI is a limited liability company (LLC), a private firm, instead of a non-profit. That means it has less regulation on where it lends its money, but also no requirement to say where its money is going, who it’s doing business with or how it’s influencing politics. What we know about its donations is what the CZI has chosen to disclose.