Electronic Frontier FoundationJul 25, 2023
The Kolektiva raid reminds us that it’s important to stand with your users in the #fediverse too.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/07/fbi-seizure-mastodon-server-wakeup-call-fediverse-users-and-hosts-protect-their
FBI Seizure of Mastodon Server Data is a Wakeup Call to Fediverse Users and Hosts to Protect their Users

We’re in an exciting time for users who want to take back control from major platforms like Twitter and Facebook. However, this new environment comes with challenges and risks for user privacy, so we need to get it right and make sure networks like the Fediverse and Bluesky are mindful of past...

Electronic Frontier Foundation
Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 25, 2023
@eff Do not underestimate this CSAM matter. As the recent attention from Facebook/Threads illustrates, big tech is starting to wake up to the danger the Fediverse represents to their regime of surveillance capitalism. The ostensible justification for attacking the Fediverse in the name of "rooting out child pornography" is a threat we need to take seriously.
Show threadErik Schnetter

@mastodonmigration @eff Bittorrent was a nice protocol – until some people used it to distribute copyrighted material. These days, the Bittorrent protocol is blocked in many places.

This would work against ActivityPub as well: Claim there are "too many" people using it for an illegal purpose, and encourage/require ISPs to block it.

"No one controls how ActivityPub is used! We can't prevent abuse! We must block it!" Unfortunately, this kind of argument works against any decentralized setup.

Jul 25, 2023 at 10:03pmWeb
Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 25, 2023
@eschnett @eff Yup. Combine that with what appears to be a sophisticated information campaign to paint the Fediverse as a hotbed of CSAM. This is not a new tactic. Already getting side eye: "Don't you do stuff on Mastodon? Heard it is full of child porn..."
Show threadSpeculaterJul 26, 2023
@mastodonmigration @eschnett @eff Washington Post made an entire article about Mastodon being solely for child exploitation. It's unreal. If you're seeing that material, fucking report it. I'm guessing you had to go looking for it though.
Show threadJon (now at neuromatch.social)Jul 26, 2023

And that article was used by Senator Dick Durbin to push the STOP CSAM Act (which doesn't actually stop CSAM -- but it weakens encryption)

Here's the article @eff did yesterday on why the Stop CSAM bill is so bad

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/07/ndaa-no-place-sweeping-internet-legislation-stop-csam-act

And, here's an action from EFF to contact your Congresspeople and ask them to oppose STOP CSAM

https://act.eff.org/action/tell-congress-don-t-outlaw-encrypted-applications

@speculater @mastodonmigration @eschnett

The NDAA is No Place for Sweeping Internet Legislation Like the STOP CSAM Act

The STOP CSAM Act of 2023 would undermine services offering end-to-end encryption and incentivize internet companies to take down lawful user speech. This dangerous bill would threaten security and free speech on the internet—but incredibly, it may pass Congress without even being seriously debated...

Electronic Frontier Foundation
Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 26, 2023
@jdp23 @eff @speculater @eschnett Remember when Dick Durbin aced out Sheldon Whitehouse for Judiciary Chairman even though he was already Whip. Sad day for the country.
Show threadJon (now at neuromatch.social)Jul 26, 2023
@mastodonmigration F---ing Dems. Don't get me started, it's almost midnight here, I need to get some sleep! 😂
Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 26, 2023
@jdp23 OK, sleep well. The world will still need saving tomorrow.
Show threadJon (now at neuromatch.social)Jul 26, 2023

Also STOP CSAM is only one of the bad internet bills they're potentially trying to sneak through this week. EARN IT also weakens encryption. KOSA is especially harmful to LGBTQ+ people. Cooper Davis Act turns tech companies into DEA informants.

EFF's got actions on all of them in this thread. https://mastodon.social/@eff/110775891238303192

@eff @speculater @mastodonmigration @eschnett

Show threadMei LinJul 26, 2023

@speculater @mastodonmigration @eschnett @eff
There needs to be an effort by the community to defend against such allegations.

But how do you defend yourself against a major new source? Especially of they print any 'we're sorry' message about a previous article on page N+1?

Show threadMei LinJul 26, 2023

@speculater @mastodonmigration @eschnett @eff
Such things fall into a similar camp to 'parents sue social Media companies for damaging their children'.

What is the damage? Being socially and pro-LGBTQ+ for conservative parents? What?

The entire 'Think Of The Children' narrative is a figleaf for suppressing stuff you don't like through the backdoor.

It's never about children, water fountains, bathrooms, condoms or abortions.

Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 26, 2023
@MeiLin @speculater @eschnett @eff On the right they seem to accuse anyone they don't like of being a 'pedo' sooner or later. This is nothing new.
Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 26, 2023

@MeiLin @speculater @eschnett @eff Good question. Corporations have marketing communications departments with PR professionals who specialize in "crisis management". All we have is us. Think we will do just fine.

Already posts like this one are asking questions. We are not stupid, and we are not powerless. If this is a 'hit job,' we will figure it out. If we need to shore up our defenses, we will do that too. Its our network, and we are not going to let anyone mess with it.

Show threadMei LinJul 26, 2023

@mastodonmigration @speculater @eschnett @eff
Don't we have a few marketing and PR professionals stacked in some Mastodon server somewhere?

Sic them on this kind of narrative.

Show threadMastodon MigrationJul 26, 2023
@MeiLin @speculater @eschnett @eff Yeah, there must be. Think it's already happening. One of the great things about an open social media collective like the Fediverse, is that everyone has agency and can act independently in what they see as the interest of the whole. People bring their respective skills to bear. It's somewhat chaotic, but very effective.