Access Express | 05/17/13
Interpol filter scope creep: Australia ordering unilateral website blocks
Australia's financial regulator has started requiring ISPs to block websites suspected of providing fraudulent financial opportunities, opening the door for other agencies to unilaterally block sites they deem questionable.
via delimiter 
Staff Picks
WTPF: expected outcomes, revealing debate
The UN World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF), which concluded with international guidance on broadband and IXP policy, held revealing clues to the future of internet governance reform.
via accessnow
A Saudi Arabian telco's surveillance pitch
American security researcher Moxie Marlinspike explains why he won't help a Saudi telco build countrywide surveillance tools - and the absurdity of calling anyone who won't sign on "a terrorist."
via thoughtcrime
From the Access Community
U.S. secretly obtained AP phone records in probe
The U.S. Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of reporters and editors for The Associated Press in what the news cooperative’s top executive called a “massive and unprecedented intrusion."
via talkingpointsmemo
Peruvians to president: our digital rights are non-negotiable
As negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Treaty enter their 17th round next week in Lima, a group of well-known local NGOs have launched a campaign asking the president to set clear non-negotiable lines on Peruvians' digital rights.
via eff
U.S. internet governance bill unnecessary, potentially harmful
This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on internet governance that was superfluous, misguided, and potentially harmful to ongoing international negotiations on internet governance.
via accessnow
Nepal moves to regulate online journalism and news sites
As online journalism and news portals gain popularity in Nepal, the Ministry of Information and Communications has formed a five-member committee to register, regulate, and manage online news.
via freenepal
Concerns arise on U.S. effort to allow internet ‘wiretaps’
A new report criticizes an FBI plan requiring online communications tools be easily wiretapped. The plan would endanger the security of U.S. users without making it much harder for criminals to evade wiretaps.
via nytimes
Are Syria's internet outages increasing in frequency?
This week's eight hour outage was the second internet blackout in Syria since the start of May and the fourth since last November; signs point to deliberate government interference.
via techpresident
Chilean judge dismisses charges against parody Twitter account
Last month a judge dismissed charges against Rodrigo Ferrari, who was charged with the criminal offense of “identity usurpation," for managing an account parodying of one of Chile's wealthiest families.
via accessnow
Ireland proposes laws to shut down mobile network
The Irish Minister for Justice plans to introduce amendments to legislation that would enable shutting down of parts of the country's mobile phone network in the case of threat to "life or property."
via rte
Equitorial Guinea blocks Facebook, political content ahead of election
The government of Equitorial Guinea has blocked access to Facebook and select opposition websites since 12 May ahead of a May 26th election, marking the latest incident of election-related content filtration.
via trust
Cautious optimism as U.S. privacy oversight board finally confirms chair
In a small victory for rights advocates, the U.S. Senate finally voted to confirm David Medine as the first Chair of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB).
via accessnow
Which U.S. telcos stores your data the longest?
The nation’s major mobile providers keep a treasure trove of sensitive data on their customers, according to newly-released Justice Department internal memo that for the first time reveals the data retention policies of America’s largest telcos.
via wired
Six jailed in Bahrain for "insulting" tweets to King
A Bahraini court jailed six people for a year on Wednesday for insulting King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa in messages on Twitter.
via nytimes
