Washington Post
Ex-congressional IT staffer reaches plea deal that debunks conspiracy theories about illegal information access
Federal prosecutors concluded an 18-month investigation into a former congressional technology staffer on July 3 by publicly debunking allegations — promoted by conservative media and President Donald Trump — suggesting he was a Pakistani operative who stole government secrets with cover from House Democrats. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Imran Awan pleaded guilty to a relatively minor offense unrelated to his work on Capitol Hill: making a false statement on a bank loan application. U.S. prosecutors said they would not recommend jail time.
Samsung’s texting app apparently sent pictures to people’s contacts without permission (Washington Post)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Tue, 07/03/2018 - 12:46‘This is not a normal time’: A mad hot summer in the capital of the resistance (Washington Post)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Tue, 07/03/2018 - 12:04Federal investigators broaden focus on Facebook’s role in sharing data with Cambridge Analytica, examining statements of tech giant
Apparently, a federal investigation into Facebook’s sharing of data with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica has broadened to focus on the actions and statements of the tech giant and involves three agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission. Representatives for the FBI, the SEC and the Federal Trade Commission have joined the Justice Department in its inquiries about the two companies and the sharing of personal information of 71 million Americans, suggesting the wide-ranging nature of the investigation, apparently.
The mysterious disappearance of the phrase ‘climate change’ from a CDC website (Washington Post)
Submitted by benton on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 15:40President Trump has embraced the big-money donor world he once shunned
Even as President Donald Trump holds court in large arenas filled with thousands of cheering supporters, he also has been giving rich financiers and business executives up-close access, helping cultivate the kind of big-money outfit he once derided.
Facebook offers fresh detail about its ties to dozens of outside companies in more than 700 pages of new data turned over to Congress
Facebook shared user information with 52 hardware and software makers, including some based in China, under agreements designed to make its social media platform work more effectively on smartphones and other devices. The list of these partners includes major American tech brands such as Apple, Amazon and Microsoft, along with South Korean tech giant Samsung and China-based companies Huawei and Alibaba.
Man accused of threatening FCC chairman’s family over net neutrality (Washington Post)
Submitted by benton on Sun, 07/01/2018 - 19:49This attack is just the latest blow against local journalism
[Commentary] The attack on the Capital Gazette in Annapolis (MD) horrified the nation, but especially those of us in journalism. On a personal level, we mourn the loss of five devoted colleagues who were working tirelessly, at modest wages, to provide a vital service to their community. More broadly, though, this attack is merely the latest blow inflicted on local journalism — an institution that, despite its fundamental importance to our democracy, has been experiencing serious decline.