In our 666th issue:

Planning on slapping on a Guy Fawkes mask and heading to a local protest? Think twice before you bring your cell phone. EFF's newly updated guide to cell phones for US protesters discusses data security—including using encrypted communication channels and passwords as well as how meta-data may still be exposed. We also discuss what you should and shouldn't do if you get arrested, and the process for getting your phone back after an arrest.

As Senate Finance Committee Chair, Senator Ron Wyden is under pressure to fast track trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which includes worrisome copyright provisions that could hamper online expression. But Senator Wyden has another option: to finally bring these deals out into the open. EFF is calling on him to stand up to big private interests and help ensure that our digital rights are protected. We need you to add your signature to our petition so we can demonstrate the powerful community opposing this agreement.

EFF and the ACLU filed an amicus brief in Klayman v. Obama, a high-profile lawsuit that challenges mass surveillance, arguing that Americans' telephone metadata deserves the highest protection of the Fourth Amendment. Using research and new case law, we argued that metadata—such as who individuals called, when they called, and how long they spoke—can be even more revealing than conversations when collected en masse.

EFF Updates

Coding with EFF

Coders everywhere: EFF could use your help in creating and maintaining technologies that protect freedom in the digital world. Visit our Coding with EFF page, find a project you like, join the mailing list, and dive right in.

Adam Carolla Settles with a Patent Troll

For over a year, Adam Carolla fought back against patent troll Personal Audio, demonstrating that the podcasting community would not be shaken down. He just settled the case out of court—with ramifications both good and bad.

Supreme Court Tackles Online Threats

When does online venting cross the line from frustrated rant to criminal threat? EFF joined an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court arguing that when it comes to online speech, the government must prove a person actually meant to make a threat before he or she can be prosecuted.

Egyptian Blogger on Hunger Strike

On August 18, imprisoned Egyptian blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah's family announced that he had begun a hunger strike, to continue until he achieves his freedom. In the statement, Abd El Fattah was quoted as saying: "I will no longer play the role they’ve written for me." EFF has teamed up with other NGOs to petition the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention about his wrongful imprisonment.

Comcast Data Breach Leaks Thousands of Unlisted Phone Numbers, Threatening Customers' Privacy

Hundreds of thousands of customers pay Comcast every month to keep their personal information out of public databases. But it seems those payments did little good: Over 74,000 customers found their names, addresses, and telephone numbers in phone directories both online and off.

Appeals Court Saves Batman From Crazy Trademark Attack

Software company Fortres Grand sued Warner Brothers over a fictional piece of software in the movie The Dark Knight Rises. Fortunately, trademark law does not favor silly claims based on fictional products.

What You Need to Know About the FISA Court—and How it Needs to Change

Should interpretation of the laws and Constitution of the United States take place in one-sided secretive courts, away from the public eye? For years, it has. Here's a run-down of the problems with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

EFF to Ethiopia: Illegal Wiretapping Is Illegal, Even for Governments

EFF told the US District Court for the District of Columbia that Ethiopia must be held accountable for its illegal wiretapping of an American citizen. Foreign governments simply don't have a get-out-of-court-free card when they commit serious felonies in America against Americans.

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EFF is on Flickr

Check out EFF graphics and images, all free to use and licensed under Creative Commons so they can be shared widely.

The Intercept: How the NSA Built Its Own Google

According to The Intercept, the NSA is secretly providing data to nearly two dozen US government agencies with a "Google-like" search engine built to share more than 850 billion records about phone calls, emails, cellphone locations, and Internet chats.

Free Online Course on Surveillance Law

This fall, learn about surveillance law through a free online course taught by Stanford computer scientist and a lawyer Jonathan Mayer.

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Our members make it possible for EFF to bring legal and technological expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free speech online or challenging unconstitutional surveillance, your participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who value freedom online a stronger voice and more formidable advocate.

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Administrivia

Editor: Rainey Reitman, Activist

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EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

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