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EFF-Austin

@effaustin.bsky.social

EFF-Austin advocates establishment and protection of digital rights and defense of the wealth of digital information, innovation, and technology.

110 Posts563 Follower195 Folgt
EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We've just launched our new Ghost site, check it out! You can now sign up with your email to our integrated newsletter, which will let you get emails anytime we announce meetups, write blog posts, or make announcements in general. effaustin.org

EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"“The fact is, this technology has been and will continue to be used to violate people’s rights,” said Kevin Welch, who leads the Electronic Frontier Foundation of Austin. The group was part of a coalition that pushed the city to end its contract with Flock last year."

Flock Safety interested in bringing its license plate readers back to Austin

Flock Safety says it is interested in meeting with Austin leaders about bringing license plate readers back to the city, after Mayor Kirk Watson and Police Chie

cbsaustin.com

EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 6mo ago

EFF-Austin helped consult on the TRUST Act. The emergency exception provision is too long, and will need to be revisited at some point, but we think the transparency this will provide around the city's contracts with 3rd party technology vendors is a step in the right direction.

KXAN News@kxan.com · 6mo ago

City council members took a big step toward creating a framework for how the city of Austin uses surveillance technology. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/city-council-moves-toward-adding-surveillance-regulation-rules-to-city-code/ 

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EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Here's EFF-Austin's Kevin Welch speaking to city council at yesterday's work session about the dangers of putting LVT cameras in Austin's parks. We are happy to report that, based on our testimony and the testimony of many other activist groups in town, the proposed contract as again been postponed.

Austin DSA@austindsa.bsky.social · 6mo ago

AI surveillance company LiveView Technologies is now inches away from winning a new contract that would implement AI cameras in our parks & pools. Reach out to your Austin City Council member and urge them to oppose the contract (Item 3) because we do not want AI surveillance in our public spaces.

CALL TO ACTION! Tell Austin City Council to vote NO on Item #3: $400K-2M for AI surveillance in Austin's parks and poolsAI surveillance company LiveView Technologies (LVT) is courting the Austin City Council and is now inches away from winning a new contract that would implement AI cameras in our parks and pools. We know that the Trump administration is actively using data collected by mass surveillance technologies like LiveView cameras to facilitate mass deportations, to hunt abortion seekers, and to track political protesters. In many cases, police are sharing data with ICE and other federal agencies regardless of the law.With recent news stories illuminating an alarming amount of collaboration between Austin Police Department and ICE, we do not want to add to the datasets that create vulnerabilities for our immigrant neighbors and others who may be targeted. Remember, the safest form of data is data that does not exist.What you can do: Sign up to speak at the Council meeting on Thursday, February 5, before the vote (item 3). Registration closes on Wednesday at 12 PM. Contact your City Councilmember before Thursday, February 5, and tell them to vote NO on Item 3. Links to do both will be in the linktree in our bio (linkt.ree/austindsa).
EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Austin City Council is again considering a contract with LVT that will install surveillance tech in Austin's parks. While "safeguards" have been added since last time, this is still a fundamentally bad idea. Come to the protest tomorrow and make your voice heard. www.mobilize.us/handsoffcent...

ICE OUT OF ATX: Austin Against Park Surveillance - Press Conference & Rally · Hands Off Central TX - Indivisible

We demand no AI mass surveillance in Austin public parks and pools! Join HOCTX and the NO ALPRs coalition for a press conference and rally on Tuesday, Feb 3 from 5 - 6:30 PM... Speakers will include...

mobilize.us

EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 7mo ago

There is no news article about it, yet, but you heard it here first that Sunset Valley, one of the most prolific users of ALPR cameras in the Austin area, has decided NOT to renew their contract with Flock.

Senator Ron Wyden@wyden.senate.gov · 7mo ago

I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.

Hairybusiness@hairybusiness.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I am not a Section 230 expert but being that Twitter is creating and publishing these photos I wonder if they actually have any civil legal protection? @kenwhite.bsky.social ? @akivamcohen.bsky.social ?

EFF-Austin@effaustin.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Curious if elected officials in your area are trying to approve a Flock contract without your knowledge or consent? This new tool will let you subscribe to alerts in your area for relevant city council meetings so that you can organize, show up, and make your voices heard. alpr.watch

ALPR Watch – Track Surveillance Tech in Local Government

Track ALPR, Flock Safety cameras, and surveillance tech discussions in your local government meetings. Get alerts and take action.

alpr.watch