Access Express | 04/04/13
Debunking the myth of a digital Cold War
Access' Deborah Brown shreds the myth of the "Digital Cold War," between online freedom and digital repression media. She argues that advancing this false paradigm could make increased government control over the internet a self-fulfilling prophecy.
via aljazeera 
Staff Picks
With Google Glass, everyone is Big Brother
It’s not just a style thing: avoid the geek wearing Google’s wearable interface known as Glass. The life-logging feature 'Life Bits' logs everyone who comes into direct contact with the Glass wearer, transforming them into a mobile recording device.
via accessnow
What the Microsoft transparency report does—and does not—tell us about Skype
Access has reviewed Microsoft's transparency report and analyzed what it does--and does not--tell us about law enforcement requests for Skype data, as well as how it measures up to the demands in the January open letter from civil society.
via accessnow
From the Access Community
Korean lawmakers and human rights experts challenge three strikes law
The entertainment industry in the U.S. has repeatedly pointed to South Korea's 3-strike law as a model for a controlled internet. But in Korea, the entertainment industry's experiment in digital enforcement has been a failure.
via eff
Google fights U.S. national security probe data demand
Google is challenging US government demands for private user information in a national security probe. It appears to be the first time a major communications company is pushing back after getting a National Security Letter.
via bloomberg
Palestinian journalist pardoned, sparking debate on legislative reform
The pardoning of journalist Mamdouh Hamamrah, sentenced to one year in prison when someone else posted a satirical image of President Mahmoud Abbas on his Facebook page, has prompted a debate on legislative reform in Palestine.
via ifex
Bloggers under serious threat in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, three bloggers have been detained for allegedly insulting Islam. This follows the murder of well-known blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider last month, and a significant increase in attacks on journalists.
via eff
Europe continues privacy tussle with Google
Six countries are launching "coordinated and simultaneous enforcement actions" against Google over changes made to its privacy policy in 2012 that let the company merge personal data across multiple products.
via news
Closed door debate to begin on privacy-invading U.S. cybersecurity legislation
The proposed U.S. Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) is a threat to privacy and due process. Now the U.S. House Intelligence Committee is set to debate the bill and propose amendments--but behind closed doors.
via cdt
Tunisians jailed for seven years for Facebook cartoons of Prophet Mohammad
Two Tunisians have been sentenced to seven years in prison for posting cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad on Facebook, fueling allegations the country’s new Islamist leaders are gagging free speech.
via reuters
Digital rights activists decry U.S. computer crime proposal
A proposal in the U.S. Congress to strengthen penalties in the controversial Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is a "giant leap in the wrong direction" for digital rights.
via infoworld
Kuwait tweeter jailed for insulting emir
Kuwait’s lower court on Sunday sentenced opposition tweeter Hamad Al Khalidi to two years in jail on charges of insulting the Gulf state’s ruler. Dozens of other activists and former opposition MPs have either been sentenced or are on trial.
via gulfnews
Iceland's 'crowdsourced' constitution is dead
Icelandic bloggers write "the true history of Iceland’s ‘innovative’ constitutional reform" and analyse what led to the death of Iceland's celebrated 'crowdsourced' constitution.
via studiotendra