Welcome to the latest Open Rights Group supporter update. In this edition:
- Blackout Europe - - Block Phorm - - Stop Guv Monitoring Facebook - - Doctorow and Stross: Resisting the all-seeing eye - - Sound Copyright - - Press - - Events - - Thanks -
But before we get started, if you're on Facebook, please become a fan of Open Rights Group.
News
Proposals at the EU parliament to limit access to the internet across Europe are to be voted on today. The new law would permit your broadband provider to impose "conditions limiting access to and/or use of services and applications". Downloading via P2P will likely be forbidden, plus blacklists and whitelists are on the hidden agenda, but the proposals also covers copyright enforcement (3-strikes) and network-level filtering. They threaten fundamental freedoms for all Internet users. Please use contact your MEP, use our images on your profiles and if you're on Facebook, join the dedicated group. Once we know the results of today's committee vote, we'll produce more detailed commentary and recommendations.
We've asked major websites to block Phorm from intercepting their data. To help us pile on the pressure, please take some action. If you’re on Facebook, join the group; blog and tweet the #blockphorm message; Opt your website out - and let us know that you've done so by mailing blockphorm at openrightsgroup dot org; email your favourite sites, FAO Chief Privacy Officer, using our standard letter.
Guv wants legislation that lets them monitor who you talk to on Facebook. Similar legislation in the US has been abused by the authorities time and time again, with websites revealing not just who users are messaging, but the contents of the messages. The authorities are going beyond the designated purpose of terrorism prevention, and instead use it to routinely screen job candidates for even the lowest risk government and local authority jobs. The proposal is part of the 'Intercept Modernisation Program'. Please sign the petition and, if you're on Facebook, join the dedicated group.
With the rise of the database state and firms profiting from user-profiling, it's vital to resist surveillance and ensure the integrity of your digital personality. From technologies like PGP and Tor to the arguments that will convince people - friends and family as well as media and politicians - to watch out for their digital rights, this event is your anti-surveillance 101. Cory Doctorow and Charlie Stross will share the how and why of controlling your data, moderated by Ian Brown. More details and signup on Eventbrite.
Following postponement of the full plenary vote, representatives from the European Parliament, Commission and Council will meet this week to hammer out a consensus amid the controversy surrounding copyright term extension. We've prepared some super-simple info to help you act now to oppose copyright extension, so please write or phone your MEP and use our buttons on your blog or site homepage.
Press relations
Every week, we spend time talking to the media and connecting them with experts or giving an alternate point of view on current issues. Please see the press archive for more details. We also did a couple of local radio spots this month, over plans for Guv to snoop on your social networking, but those aren't archived for your reading pleasure.
Events The very best way to stay updated on ORG-esque events is with our Upcoming group. Here's some events happening in the next month or so:
Thanks
Thanks to Tim, Chris, Rowan and Adam for the still-not-quite-public Reclaim Your DNA site. Thanks to Francis for taking on org-law. Thanks to Harry and Sian for the wireframes session. Thanks to Dominique for the comms work. Thanks to Glyn, Lemon and Adam for being around. Thanks to the Board and Advisory for their ongoing nourishment. Thanks to anyone missed off this list.
