Privacy & Security

On May 14, the Senate reauthorized the USA Freedom Act, which extends the expansive domestic surveillance powers contained in the Patriot Act.  The original Freedom Act had expired in March. Now that it has been reauthorized, it grants the FBI (and other law enforcement agencies) broad warrantless access to sensitive personal information, including Internet browsing […]

If you play online gaming, you are probably being spied on.  Privacy concerns may be inherent in the design of the game itself, such as games that require access to your webcam or microphone. Some companies sell any relevant information they’ve collected about you to advertisers, and others collect enormous quantities of data for their […]

Internet companies already follow your every move online: Now they are partnering with law enforcement to bring that same level of surveillance to the physical world. Amazon Ring, the creator of a popular camera-equipped doorbell, has entered into secretive partnerships with hundreds of police departments across the United States. These agreements often require police officers […]

Smart TVs are essentially televisions that can watch you. Their surge in popularity, along with smart speakers, means corporations (and anyone that can hack these devices) have another window through which they can view your private activity. The data collection that typifies the Internet is spilling over into your offline life — and invading your […]

This post was updated on November 1, 2019. Fitness and health apps are designed to help you record and quantify how much you exercise, what prescription drugs you take, even what birth control methods you use. While these apps can help improve your health, they can also put your privacy at risk. In the worst […]

More and more people are taking their online privacy seriously. Facebook, Google, Amazon, and numerous other online platforms are rightfully receiving criticism for the amount of personal data they collect and monetize. However, they are not the only monopolistic corporations you should be concerned about.  ISPs can monitor which websites you visit and the right […]

The Internet made it possible for workers in the service economy to do their jobs from any place that has a fast broadband connection. But the Internet also opens up new avenues for criminals and surveillance. If you’re a digital nomad, are thinking of becoming one, or simply work remotely from time to time, it’s […]

If you’re traveling abroad this summer, you’ll probably have a full agenda of sun and sightseeing. But if you get bored and flip on Netflix or Hulu, you might find yourself unable to catch your favorite shows or movies. And if you’re using a VPN to protect your Internet connection, you may not be able […]

Living abroad can be an adventure, but it also presents unique online privacy obstacles. A VPN can help expats stay in touch with their family and avoid Internet censorship. In the age of the “digital nomad” more and more people are moving abroad. Living in a new country can be both exciting and complicated. One […]