activistpost--2020-06-04--Protecting Your Privacy if Your Phone is Taken Away

Your phone is your life .
It ’ s where you communicate , get your news , take pictures and videos of your loved ones , relax and play games , and find a significant other .
It can track your health , give you directions , remind you of events , and much more .
It ’ s an incredibly helpful tool , but it can also be used against you by malicious actors .
It ’ s important to know what your phone contains and how it can also make you vulnerable to attacks .
Your threat model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to decide which solutions are the best for you .
The best protection is to avoid creating the opportunity for an attacker to gain physical access to your phone or its metadata .
The safest solution would be not to bring your phone to high-risk activities , such as protesting , but this might not be feasible for everyone .
What could someone without access to your phone know about you ?
Without any physical access to your phone by an attacker , you might think your privacy is safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell towers to be able to transfer data ( for your browsing or apps ) , or receive and send text messages or calls .
To do this , the network needs to know which cell phone tower is giving you coverage .
In other words , the network knows where you are .
This allows parties with access to location data held by your service provider to discover your location and movements .
To protect against this : • Airplane mode will disable communication with the cellular network .
If your phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its location can ’ t be tracked that way .
Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are also disabled since they could also leak information .
However , this will also mean you won ’ t be able to use data or get messages or calls .
• Avoid using SMS or regular phone calls .
These aren ’ t encrypted and , along with your location , can be seen by your service provider and be intercepted with the use of IMSI catchers .
Use secure messaging instead , like Signal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your phone know ?
With physical access to your phone , an attacker can get all of the data stored in it .
This contains your messages , photos , browsing history , and apps .
But it also contains much more like : • Messages : This includes SMS/MMS and any other messaging apps that you have .
• Passwords , if stored insecurely , or if the attacker also has access to your password manager ( This could be possible if you used a weak master password , thumbprint , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unlocked when the police seized your device . )
• Deleted data : Even if you deleted something from your phone , it can still live in many places in the memory and logs , and it can be recovered .
Do not rely on something being deleted .
• App switching screenshots : When you switch or close an app , many devices offer you an overview of the apps running and what they are or were doing .
To achieve this , what they do is create a screenshot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the app .
That screenshot is stored and it can be retrieved by an attacker .
Some apps will obfuscate this , but most will not .
This can expose encrypted messages , passwords , or other private information .
• Location : Your phone constantly logs many details that reveal your movements , such as WiFi access points you ’ ve joined , logs from your cell phone service , coordinates when you take a photo .
Many apps use your current location to provide “ relevant ” results to searches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reasons .
• Logs : Your phone and apps have all sorts of files logging what it did , errors , and crashes .
All of this information is stored and can reveal how you used your phone , who you contacted , and where you were .
It ’ s a vast list that provides a wealth of information to an attacker .
Needless to say , you need to protect your data and access to your phone .
The best way to do so is with full disk encryption enabled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all devices are equal and you need to verify your device offers full disk encryption .
The latest versions of Android and iOS offer full disk encryption by default .
To make sure it ’ s enabled you will have to add a strong password .
Do not use passcodes ( only numbers ) or weak passwords , since there are many tools that can break them easily .
If your phone has an SD Card this can also contain information that might not be encrypted by your device .
Some courts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlock a phone protected with a biometric such as face or fingerprint identification without your consent , so it is advised to not enable either option .
If this is not feasible , turning your device off will on most devices require the password when turned back on .
Be careful with cloud backups .
Although useful to restore your apps and backup messages and images , they can also provide an avenue for an attacker to get your data .
Or , if the attacker already has access to your phone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old information like backups of photos and messages .
If you can , disable access to them during high risk scenarios .
• Enable full-disk encryption on your device with a strong password .
To know more on how to secure your digital life we have compiled advice at ssd.eff.org .
What if you get your phone back ?
Suppose your phone was taken by the attacker and you managed to recover it at a later stage .
What should you do ?
If you can afford it and your threat model includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Change all of your passwords .
• Verify if there ’ s been access to your accounts .
( Some email providers and social media sites show the list of IPs that accessed your account . )
• Factory reset your phone .
Make sure to verify what it means for your particular device .
Some will wipe the master key for the encryption , others will keep some data .
You need to wipe all of the data .
• Sign into your phone with a new Apple ID/Google account to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrés is Technology Projects Manager for the Electronic Frontier Foundation .
A Telecom and Electronics Engineer , he previously worked for Mobile Operators managing and developing projects from the Radio and Core networks to IT systems .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
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Get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

By Andrés Arrieta
Your phone is your life. It’s where you communicate, get your news, take pictures and videos of your loved ones, relax and play games, and find a significant other. It can track your health, give you directions, remind you of events, and much more. It’s an incredibly helpful tool, but it can also be used against you by malicious actors. It’s important to know what your phone contains and how it can also make you vulnerable to attacks.
Your threat model is unique and personal. And you will have to decide which solutions are the best for you. The best protection is to avoid creating the opportunity for an attacker to gain physical access to your phone or its metadata. The safest solution would be not to bring your phone to high-risk activities, such as protesting, but this might not be feasible for everyone.
What could someone without access to your phone know about you?
Without any physical access to your phone by an attacker, you might think your privacy is safe. However, your phone constantly communicates with cell towers to be able to transfer data (for your browsing or apps), or receive and send text messages or calls. To do this, the network needs to know which cell phone tower is giving you coverage. In other words, the network knows where you are. This allows parties with access to location data held by your service provider to discover your location and movements.
To protect against this:
Airplane mode will disable communication with the cellular network . If your phone is not talking to the cellular network, its location can’t be tracked that way. Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are also disabled since they could also leak information. However, this will also mean you won’t be able to use data or get messages or calls.
. If your phone is not talking to the cellular network, its location can’t be tracked that way. Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are also disabled since they could also leak information. However, this will also mean you won’t be able to use data or get messages or calls. Avoid using SMS or regular phone calls. These aren’t encrypted and, along with your location, can be seen by your service provider and be intercepted with the use of IMSI catchers. Use secure messaging instead, like Signal.
What can someone with physical access to your phone know?
With physical access to your phone, an attacker can get all of the data stored in it. This contains your messages, photos, browsing history, and apps. But it also contains much more like:
Phone call history
Messages: This includes SMS/MMS and any other messaging apps that you have.
Calendar and notes
Photos/videos/audio
Passwords, if stored insecurely, or if the attacker also has access to your password manager (This could be possible if you used a weak master password, thumbprint, or Face ID, or your password manager was unlocked when the police seized your device.)
Account logins
Cloud data and backups
Deleted data: Even if you deleted something from your phone, it can still live in many places in the memory and logs, and it can be recovered. Do not rely on something being deleted.
App switching screenshots: When you switch or close an app, many devices offer you an overview of the apps running and what they are or were doing. To achieve this, what they do is create a screenshot of the last thing happening on screen within the app. That screenshot is stored and it can be retrieved by an attacker. Some apps will obfuscate this, but most will not. This can expose encrypted messages, passwords, or other private information.
Location: Your phone constantly logs many details that reveal your movements, such as WiFi access points you’ve joined, logs from your cell phone service, coordinates when you take a photo. Many apps use your current location to provide “relevant” results to searches, weather updates, or for a multitude of reasons.
Logs: Your phone and apps have all sorts of files logging what it did, errors, and crashes. All of this information is stored and can reveal how you used your phone, who you contacted, and where you were. It’s a vast list that provides a wealth of information to an attacker.
Needless to say, you need to protect your data and access to your phone. The best way to do so is with full disk encryption enabled and with a strong password. Not all devices are equal and you need to verify your device offers full disk encryption. The latest versions of Android and iOS offer full disk encryption by default. To make sure it’s enabled you will have to add a strong password. Do not use passcodes (only numbers) or weak passwords, since there are many tools that can break them easily. If your phone has an SD Card this can also contain information that might not be encrypted by your device.
Some courts have found that you can be forced to unlock a phone protected with a biometric such as face or fingerprint identification without your consent, so it is advised to not enable either option. If this is not feasible, turning your device off will on most devices require the password when turned back on.
Be careful with cloud backups. Although useful to restore your apps and backup messages and images, they can also provide an avenue for an attacker to get your data. Or, if the attacker already has access to your phone, they could use your backups to recover old information like backups of photos and messages. If you can, disable access to them during high risk scenarios.
Enable full-disk encryption on your device with a strong password. Disable Face ID and Fingerprint ID Disable cloud backups Turn off your phone
To know more on how to secure your digital life we have compiled advice at ssd.eff.org.
What if you get your phone back?
Suppose your phone was taken by the attacker and you managed to recover it at a later stage. What should you do?
If you can afford it and your threat model includes it: get a new phone.
Otherwise:
Change all of your passwords.
Verify if there’s been access to your accounts. (Some email providers and social media sites show the list of IPs that accessed your account.)
Factory reset your phone. Make sure to verify what it means for your particular device. Some will wipe the master key for the encryption, others will keep some data. You need to wipe all of the data.
Sign into your phone with a new Apple ID/Google account to avoid loading potentially compromised cloud backups.
Source: EFF.org
Andrés is Technology Projects Manager for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. A Telecom and Electronics Engineer, he previously worked for Mobile Operators managing and developing projects from the Radio and Core networks to IT systems.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-06-04--Party Politics:  Dems Ask FCC to Slow Down 5G Installation Due to Opposition and Pandemic – Republic

Party Politics:  Dems Ask FCC to Slow Down 5G Installation Due to Opposition and Pandemic – Republicans Ask to Speed It Up

5G opposition is worldwide .
Cities AND countries have already taken action to ban , delay , and halt 5G deployment due to health and safety risks and warnings ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 .
7 .
8 , 9 ) .
The Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry .
Ha !
Despite expert warnings AND increasing opposition , they want to speed up 5G deployment during pandemic .
One commissioner has even dismissed opponents as “ Tin Foil Hat people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” people now include more elected officials – and two FCC commissioners are at least interested in delaying installation .
Lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum are citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to support or delay a vote on an FCC order that would make it easier to deploy 5G equipment on existing communications infrastructure .
A group of Republicans on Monday sent a letter ( PDF ) to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai saying the 5G Upgrade Order will allow companies to improve services in communities now , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next day , 24 Democratic members of the Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Chairman Pai pointing to the ongoing challenges that local governments face during the pandemic and urged him to delay the vote , saying the ruling would grant companies the right to expand existing cell sites without regard to local processes .
The FCC has said it will consider at its June 9 meeting a Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ( NPRM ) that would clarify , and seek comment on changes to , the FCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spectrum Act of 2012 in order to accelerate the deployment of communications infrastructure by facilitating the upgrade of existing sites for 5G networks .
More than a dozen counties and cities , including Los Angeles , Boston and Portland , Oregon , submitted a filing ( PDF ) on Tuesday saying the commission should not adopt the draft order as released .
Exposure to 5G ( see 1 , 2 ) and other sources of wireless radiation ( see 1 , 2 ) can reduce immunity and cause other health issues including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been reports of people and animals becoming sick after it was turned on ( see 1 .
2 , 3 , 4 ) .
So why would an agency fight to speed up deployment during a pandemic ( see 1 , 2 .
3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) ?
Lawsuits have already been filed against the FCC for NOT protecting the public from unsafe levels of radiation ( see 1 , 2 ) as well as 5G .
As referenced in the Fierce Wireless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to go away regardless of tactics used by members of “ The Swamp ” that Trump promised to drain .
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology .
For more information visit our archives and the following websites .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
5G opposition is worldwide. Cities AND countries have already taken action to ban, delay, and halt 5G deployment due to health and safety risks and warnings (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, 9).
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is supposed to protect Americans by regulating the telecom industry. Ha! Despite expert warnings AND increasing opposition, they want to speed up 5G deployment during pandemic. One commissioner has even dismissed opponents as “Tin Foil Hat people.” Funny, these “Tin foil hat” people now include more elected officials – and two FCC commissioners are at least interested in delaying installation.
From Fierce Wireless:
Lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum are citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to support or delay a vote on an FCC order that would make it easier to deploy 5G equipment on existing communications infrastructure. A group of Republicans on Monday sent a letter (PDF) to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai saying the 5G Upgrade Order will allow companies to improve services in communities now, when they need it the most. The next day, 24 Democratic members of the Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Chairman Pai pointing to the ongoing challenges that local governments face during the pandemic and urged him to delay the vote, saying the ruling would grant companies the right to expand existing cell sites without regard to local processes. The FCC has said it will consider at its June 9 meeting a Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would clarify, and seek comment on changes to, the FCC’s rules implementing a section of the Spectrum Act of 2012 in order to accelerate the deployment of communications infrastructure by facilitating the upgrade of existing sites for 5G networks. More than a dozen counties and cities, including Los Angeles, Boston and Portland, Oregon, submitted a filing (PDF) on Tuesday saying the commission should not adopt the draft order as released. Read full article
Exposure to 5G (see 1, 2) and other sources of wireless radiation (see 1, 2) can reduce immunity and cause other health issues including increased cancer risk AND since 2018, there have been reports of people and animals becoming sick after it was turned on (see 1. 2, 3, 4). So why would an agency fight to speed up deployment during a pandemic (see 1, 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)? Lawsuits have already been filed against the FCC for NOT protecting the public from unsafe levels of radiation (see 1, 2) as well as 5G.
As referenced in the Fierce Wireless article – 5G opposition isn’t likely to go away regardless of tactics used by members of “The Swamp” that Trump promised to drain.
Activist Post reports regularly about 5G and other unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives and the following websites.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-06-05--How to Identify Visible (and Invisible) Surveillance at Protests

The full weight of U.S. policing has descended upon protesters across the country as people take to the streets to denounce the police killings of Breonna Taylor , George Floyd , and countless others who have been subjected to police violence .
Along with riot shields , tear gas , and other crowd control measures also comes the digital arm of modern policing : prolific surveillance technology on the street and online .
For decades , EFF has been tracking police departments ’ massive accumulation of surveillance technology and equipment .
You can find detailed descriptions and analysis of common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide .
As we continue to expand our Atlas of Surveillance project , you can also see what surveillance tech law enforcement agencies in your area may be using .
If you ’ re attending a protest , don ’ t forget to take a look at our Surveillance Self-Defense guide to learn how to keep your information and digital devices secure when attending a protest .
Here is a review of surveillance technology that police may be deploying against ongoing protests against racism and police brutality .
Surveillance Tech that May be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology , body-worn cameras may serve as both a law enforcement and a public accountability function .
Body cameras worn by police can deter and document police misconduct and use of force , but footage can also be used to surveil both people that police interact with and third parties who might not even realize they are being filmed .
If combined with face recognition or other technologies , thousands of police officers wearing body-worn cameras could record the words , actions , and locations of much of the population at a given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment concerns .
For this reason , California placed a moratorium on the use of face recognition technology on mobile police devices , including body-worn cameras .
Body-worn cameras come in many forms .
Often they are square boxes on the front of an officers chest .
Sometimes they are mounted on the shoulder .
In some cases , the camera may be partially concealed under a vest , with only the lens visible .
Companies also are marketing tactical glasses that includes a camera and face recognition ; we have not seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that can be equipped with high definition , live-feed video cameras , thermal infrared video cameras , heat sensors , automated license plate readers , and radar—all of which allow for sophisticated and persistent surveillance .
Drones can record video or still images in daylight or use infrared technology to capture such video and images at night .
They can also be equipped with other capabilities , such as cell-phone interception technology , as well as back-end software tools like license plate readers , face recognition , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for law enforcement to attach lethal and less-lethal weapons to drones .
Drones vary in size , from tiny quadrotors ( also known as Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or sUAVs ) to large fixed aircraft , such as the Predator Drone .
They are harder to spot than airplane or helicopter surveillance , because they are smaller and quieter , and they can sometimes stay in the sky for a longer duration .
Activists and journalists may also deploy drones in a protest setting , exercising their First Amendment rights to gather information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you do see a drone at a protest , you should not automatically conclude that it belongs to the police .
Automated license plate readers ( ALPRs ) are high-speed , computer-controlled camera systems that can be mounted on street poles , streetlights , highway overpasses , mobile trailers , or attached to police squad cars .
ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view , along with the location , date , and time .
The data , which includes photographs of the vehicle and sometimes its driver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a central server .
At a protest , police can deploy ALPRs to identify people driving toward , away from , or parking near a march , demonstration , or other public gathering .
For example , CBP deployed an ALPR trailer at a gun show attended by Second Amendment supporters .
Used in conjunction with other ALPR ’ s around the city , police could track protestors ’ movement as they traveled from the demonstration to their homes .
Hundreds of police departments around the country have mobile towers that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above a protest .
These are often equipped with cameras , spotlights , speakers , and sometimes have small enclosed spaces for an officer .
They also often have ALPR capabilities .
Common towers include the Terrahawk M.U.S.T .
which looks like a guard tower mounted on a van and the Wanco surveillance tower , which is a truck trailer with a large extendable pole .
Forward-looking infrared ( FLIR ) cameras are thermal cameras that can read a person ’ s body temperature and allow them to be surveyed at night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a car , rifle , or helmet , and are often used in conjunction with aerial surveillance such as planes , helicopters or drones .
Surveillance Tech That May Not Be Visible Face recognition is a method of identifying or verifying the identity of an individual using their face .
Face recognition systems can be used to identify people in photos , video , or in real-time .
Law enforcement may also use mobile devices to identify people during police stops .
At a protest , any camera you encounter may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This includes police body cameras , mounted cameras on buildings , streetlights , or surveillance towers .
Also , some police departments have biometric devices , such as specialized smartphones and tablets , that show the identity of individuals in custody .
Likewise , face recognition can occur during the booking process at jails and holding facilities .
Social media monitoring is prevalent , especially surrounding protests .
Police often scour hashtags , public events , digital interactions and connections , and digital organizing groups .
This can be done either by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to collect social media posts containing certain hashtags , words , phrases , or geolocation tags .
EFF and other organizations have long called on social media platforms like Facebook to prohibit police from using covert social media accounts under fake names .
Pseudonyms such as “ Bob Smith ” have long allowed police to infiltrate private Facebook groups and events under false pretenses .
Cell-site simulators , also known as IMSI catchers , Stingrays , or dirtboxes , are devices that masquerade as legitimate cell-phone towers , tricking phones within a certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a tower .
Police may use cell-site simulators to identify all of the IMSIs ( International Mobile Subscriber IDs ) at a protest or other physical place .
Once they identify the phones ’ IMSIs , they can then try to identify the protesters who own these phones .
In the non-protest context , police also use cell-site simulators to identify the location of a particular phone ( and its owner ) , often with greater accuracy than they could do with phone company cell site location information .
Real-time crime centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by officers and analysts to monitor a variety of surveillance technologies and data sources to monitor communities .
RTCCs often provide a central location for analyzing ALPR feeds , social media , and camera networks , and offer analysts the ability to use predictive algorithms .
Matthew Guariglia is a policy analyst working on issues of surveillance and privacy at the local , state , and federal level .
He received a PhD in history at the University of Connecticut where his research focused on the intersection of race , immigration , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City .
He is a frequent contributor to the Freedom of Information-centered outlet Muckrock and his bylines have also appeared in the Washington Post , Slate , and Motherboard .
Matthew is a visiting scholar in the department of history at UC-Berkeley and serves as an editor of “ Disciplining the City , ” a series on the history of urban policing and incarceration at the Urban History Association ’ s blog The Metropole .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Become an Activist Post Patron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month at Patreon .
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Matthew Guariglia
The full weight of U.S. policing has descended upon protesters across the country as people take to the streets to denounce the police killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others who have been subjected to police violence. Along with riot shields, tear gas, and other crowd control measures also comes the digital arm of modern policing: prolific surveillance technology on the street and online.
For decades, EFF has been tracking police departments’ massive accumulation of surveillance technology and equipment. You can find detailed descriptions and analysis of common police surveillance tech at our Street-Level Surveillance guide. As we continue to expand our Atlas of Surveillance project, you can also see what surveillance tech law enforcement agencies in your area may be using.
If you’re attending a protest, don’t forget to take a look at our Surveillance Self-Defense guide to learn how to keep your information and digital devices secure when attending a protest.
Here is a review of surveillance technology that police may be deploying against ongoing protests against racism and police brutality.
Surveillance Tech that May be Visible
Body-Worn Cameras
Unlike many other forms of police technology, body-worn cameras may serve as both a law enforcement and a public accountability function. Body cameras worn by police can deter and document police misconduct and use of force, but footage can also be used to surveil both people that police interact with and third parties who might not even realize they are being filmed. If combined with face recognition or other technologies, thousands of police officers wearing body-worn cameras could record the words, actions, and locations of much of the population at a given time, raising serious First and Fourth Amendment concerns. For this reason, California placed a moratorium on the use of face recognition technology on mobile police devices, including body-worn cameras.
Body-worn cameras come in many forms. Often they are square boxes on the front of an officers chest. Sometimes they are mounted on the shoulder. In some cases, the camera may be partially concealed under a vest, with only the lens visible. Companies also are marketing tactical glasses that includes a camera and face recognition; we have not seen this deployed in the United States–yet.
Drones
Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that can be equipped with high definition, live-feed video cameras, thermal infrared video cameras, heat sensors, automated license plate readers, and radar—all of which allow for sophisticated and persistent surveillance. Drones can record video or still images in daylight or use infrared technology to capture such video and images at night. They can also be equipped with other capabilities, such as cell-phone interception technology, as well as back-end software tools like license plate readers, face recognition, and GPS trackers. There have been proposals for law enforcement to attach lethal and less-lethal weapons to drones.
Drones vary in size, from tiny quadrotors (also known as Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or sUAVs) to large fixed aircraft, such as the Predator Drone. They are harder to spot than airplane or helicopter surveillance, because they are smaller and quieter, and they can sometimes stay in the sky for a longer duration.
Activists and journalists may also deploy drones in a protest setting, exercising their First Amendment rights to gather information about police response to protestors. So if you do see a drone at a protest, you should not automatically conclude that it belongs to the police.
Automated License Plate Readers
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are high-speed, computer-controlled camera systems that can be mounted on street poles, streetlights, highway overpasses, mobile trailers, or attached to police squad cars. ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with the location, date, and time. The data, which includes photographs of the vehicle and sometimes its driver and passengers, is then uploaded to a central server.
At a protest, police can deploy ALPRs to identify people driving toward, away from, or parking near a march, demonstration, or other public gathering. For example, CBP deployed an ALPR trailer at a gun show attended by Second Amendment supporters. Used in conjunction with other ALPR’s around the city, police could track protestors’ movement as they traveled from the demonstration to their homes.
Mobile Surveillance Trailers/Towers
Hundreds of police departments around the country have mobile towers that can be parked and raised a number of stories above a protest. These are often equipped with cameras, spotlights, speakers, and sometimes have small enclosed spaces for an officer. They also often have ALPR capabilities.
Common towers include the Terrahawk M.U.S.T. which looks like a guard tower mounted on a van and the Wanco surveillance tower, which is a truck trailer with a large extendable pole.
FLIR Cameras
Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras are thermal cameras that can read a person’s body temperature and allow them to be surveyed at night. These cameras can be handheld, mounted on a car, rifle, or helmet, and are often used in conjunction with aerial surveillance such as planes, helicopters or drones.
Surveillance Tech That May Not Be Visible
Face Recognition (or other Video Analytics)
Face recognition is a method of identifying or verifying the identity of an individual using their face. Face recognition systems can be used to identify people in photos, video, or in real-time. Law enforcement may also use mobile devices to identify people during police stops.
At a protest, any camera you encounter may have face recognition or other video analytics enabled. This includes police body cameras, mounted cameras on buildings, streetlights, or surveillance towers.
Also, some police departments have biometric devices, such as specialized smartphones and tablets, that show the identity of individuals in custody. Likewise, face recognition can occur during the booking process at jails and holding facilities.
Social Media Monitoring
Social media monitoring is prevalent, especially surrounding protests. Police often scour hashtags, public events, digital interactions and connections, and digital organizing groups. This can be done either by actual people or by an algorithm trained to collect social media posts containing certain hashtags, words, phrases, or geolocation tags.
EFF and other organizations have long called on social media platforms like Facebook to prohibit police from using covert social media accounts under fake names. Pseudonyms such as “Bob Smith” have long allowed police to infiltrate private Facebook groups and events under false pretenses.
Cell-Site Simulators
Cell-site simulators, also known as IMSI catchers, Stingrays, or dirtboxes, are devices that masquerade as legitimate cell-phone towers, tricking phones within a certain radius into connecting to the device rather than a tower.
Police may use cell-site simulators to identify all of the IMSIs (International Mobile Subscriber IDs) at a protest or other physical place. Once they identify the phones’ IMSIs, they can then try to identify the protesters who own these phones. In the non-protest context, police also use cell-site simulators to identify the location of a particular phone (and its owner), often with greater accuracy than they could do with phone company cell site location information.
Real-time Crime Centers
Real-time crime centers (RTCCs) are command centers staffed by officers and analysts to monitor a variety of surveillance technologies and data sources to monitor communities. RTCCs often provide a central location for analyzing ALPR feeds, social media, and camera networks, and offer analysts the ability to use predictive algorithms.
Source: EFF.org
Matthew Guariglia is a policy analyst working on issues of surveillance and privacy at the local, state, and federal level. He received a PhD in history at the University of Connecticut where his research focused on the intersection of race, immigration, U.S. imperialism, and policing in New York City. He is a frequent contributor to the Freedom of Information-centered outlet Muckrock and his bylines have also appeared in the Washington Post, Slate, and Motherboard. Matthew is a visiting scholar in the department of history at UC-Berkeley and serves as an editor of “Disciplining the City,” a series on the history of urban policing and incarceration at the Urban History Association’s blog The Metropole.
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activistpost--2020-06-04--Decentralized Social Media with Chris Kramer of Somee

Many of you know that I ’ m a huge proponent of decentralized and alternative social media sites that utilize blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to promote free speech and reduce content censorship .
I ’ ve been a very regular member of the Hive ( formerly Steem ) community for about 3 years , and so I ’ ve seen the value of actually owning your content first hand .
More recently ( about 5 or 6 months ago ) I joined Somee !
It was originally a fork of Steem actually and so it was pretty easy to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and structure is different – but I think those that have used Steem or Hive would probably really enjoy Somee .
One of my favorite things about it , is that it is a great “ short form ” content platform and so I often share my interview announcements and twitter/instagram style content there .
In this interview , I chat with the Founder Chris Kramer to learn more .
We do a basic rundown on the various features in the platform and how it works , what the team is currently working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and more .
I really hope you enjoy this video !
After using the platform for a long time , it was so great to finally meet the founder !
Sign up and visit Activist Post at Somee !
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By Girl Gone Crypto
Hi Friends!
Many of you know that I’m a huge proponent of decentralized and alternative social media sites that utilize blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to promote free speech and reduce content censorship. I’ve been a very regular member of the Hive (formerly Steem) community for about 3 years, and so I’ve seen the value of actually owning your content first hand.
More recently (about 5 or 6 months ago) I joined Somee! It was originally a fork of Steem actually and so it was pretty easy to get accustomed to using it. The tokenomics and structure is different – but I think those that have used Steem or Hive would probably really enjoy Somee. One of my favorite things about it, is that it is a great “short form” content platform and so I often share my interview announcements and twitter/instagram style content there.
In this interview, I chat with the Founder Chris Kramer to learn more. We do a basic rundown on the various features in the platform and how it works, what the team is currently working on, their recent partnership with Onica, and more. I really hope you enjoy this video! After using the platform for a long time, it was so great to finally meet the founder!
Guest Links: somee.social https://twitter.com/SoMeeOfficial https://twitter.com/OneName_Global
Let’s Be Friends: Website – https://lealovescrypto.com YouTube – https://YouTube.com/c/GirlGoneCrypto Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/girlgone_crypto Linkedin – https://linkedin.com/in/GirlGoneCrypto Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/girl_gone_c… Hive – https://peakd.com/@coruscate Steem – https://steemit.com/@coruscate Flote – https://flote.app/GirlGoneCrypto TikTok – http://vm.tiktok.com/m3kSQX/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/girlgonecrypt0/
Sign up and visit Activist Post at Somee!
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activistpost--2020-06-05--Ohio Amusement Parks and Resort File Lawsuit Against State Health Director for Shutdown Order

Like other Americans , many Ohioans have been protesting what ’ s become legally mandated during the pandemic .
Some actually are legislators .
Some are business owners who have filed lawsuits .
COLUMBUS , Ohio ( WJW ) – Cedar Point , Kalahari Resorts , and Kings Island have filed suit against Dr. Amy Acton as director of the Ohio Department of Health .
They say the Ohio Department of Health does not have the authority to keep these facilities closed .
The lawsuits have been filed in Warren and Erie county .
The suit claims “ unconstitutional conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstructing the mental health of the public by overinflating the risk of harm to the public from the COVID-19 outbreak .
The suit claims amusement and water parks have been unfairly singled out with no evaluation of whether they are safe .
Many American elected officials – including in Ohio – are also using the pandemic as an excuse to enforce the tracking and monitoring of citizens using 5G technology .
5G has been used for that in China since before the pandemic including for what has been described as “ automated racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As if there ’ s not already enough racism… 5G opposition is worldwide .
Cities AND countries have already taken action to ban , delay , and halt deployment due to health and safety risks and warnings ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 .
7 .
8 , 9 ) .
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By B.N. Frank
Like other Americans, many Ohioans have been protesting what’s become legally mandated during the pandemic. Some actually are legislators. Some are business owners who have filed lawsuits.
From Fox8:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) – Cedar Point, Kalahari Resorts, and Kings Island have filed suit against Dr. Amy Acton as director of the Ohio Department of Health. They say the Ohio Department of Health does not have the authority to keep these facilities closed. The lawsuits have been filed in Warren and Erie county. The suit claims “unconstitutional conduct,” saying that Dr. Acton is obstructing the mental health of the public by overinflating the risk of harm to the public from the COVID-19 outbreak. The suit claims amusement and water parks have been unfairly singled out with no evaluation of whether they are safe. Read full article
Many American elected officials – including in Ohio – are also using the pandemic as an excuse to enforce the tracking and monitoring of citizens using 5G technology. 5G has been used for that in China since before the pandemic including for what has been described as “automated racism” (see 1, 2). As if there’s not already enough racism…
5G opposition is worldwide. Cities AND countries have already taken action to ban, delay, and halt deployment due to health and safety risks and warnings (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, 9).
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-06-05--The Price Of Half The World’s Staple Food Is Up 70% In 2020

First the good news : after soaring to record highs one month ago due to widespread shutdowns of meat processing plants and supply chain impairments , wholesale beef prices have tumbled sharply and are just barely higher than where they were before the coronavirus pandemic struck .
Now the not so good news : as Bank of America ’ s Michael Hartnett notes in his Flow Show today , while beef may be affordable again , rice – the staple food for half of world ’ s population – is becoming increasingly unaffordable , “ surging 70 % since Jan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stockpiling.
” Should rice prices not revert to normal and soon , how long before the protests , riots and looting that are currently sweeping the US and various European countries spread across the entire world , this time over a far more tangible cause : hunger .
As a reminder , it was the surge in food prices in late 2010 and early 2011 that precipitated the Arab Spring protests that toppled numerous political regimes and eventually culminated with the mass exodus of migrants from northern Africa and the Middle East toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth , peace , and freedom news .
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By Tyler Durden
First the good news: after soaring to record highs one month ago due to widespread shutdowns of meat processing plants and supply chain impairments, wholesale beef prices have tumbled sharply and are just barely higher than where they were before the coronavirus pandemic struck.
Now the not so good news: as Bank of America’s Michael Hartnett notes in his Flow Show today, while beef may be affordable again, rice – the staple food for half of world’s population – is becoming increasingly unaffordable, “surging 70% since Jan on COVID-19 labor supply chain hit & stockpiling.”
Should rice prices not revert to normal and soon, how long before the protests, riots and looting that are currently sweeping the US and various European countries spread across the entire world, this time over a far more tangible cause: hunger. As a reminder, it was the surge in food prices in late 2010 and early 2011 that precipitated the Arab Spring protests that toppled numerous political regimes and eventually culminated with the mass exodus of migrants from northern Africa and the Middle East toward Europe.
Source: ZeroHedge
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-06-05--Some Positive Moments Amid All The Turmoil This Week

Look , things aren ’ t feeling so bright and cheery in the US right now .
And the sad truth is that there are some tough times ahead .
We usually bring you stories on Friday that are absurd or even infuriating .
I ’ m sure you ’ ve seen enough of that this week .
So we thought we ’ d share a few moments of character and integrity shown at protests across the US , which shined through all the tragedy .
There are bad apples on all sides– some bad apple protestors who loot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apple cops who engage in terrible acts of violence .
But there are plenty of good apples on both sides too .
Peaceful protesters sprang into action when they saw a man destroying a sidewalk .
The man was dressed in all black , like Antifa , and was apparently destroying the sidewalk to create projectiles to hurl at police and businesses .
But rather than let things escalate , peaceful protesters tackled the man , took his hammer , and handed him over to a group of police who were nearby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing there , with the man in clear view .
And yet they did nothing to stop him .
Cops even almost arrested one of the peaceful protesters who handed the man over .
But they let him go after someone explained the situation .
Click here to see the video .
Protesters hold line in front of business to stop looters Undoubtedly there has been way too much violence , looting , and property destruction .
Nothing takes away the moral high ground from a movement like seeing a bunch of guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big-screen TVs in hand .
And in the early days of these protests , the rage was palpable .
Cars were torched , businesses were destroyed , and so much property was stolen .
But people are starting to take a stand against that type of chaos .
In Brooklyn , a group of protesters intervened a few days ago when looters and vandals approached a Target store .
The protestors formed a line in front of the store to stop the looters from smashing windows ( and stealing store inventory ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI asks for evidence of inciting violence .
People send videos of cops instead .
Being an activist in the US , you have to have a sense of humor .
So when the FBI asked the public to send them video evidence of protesters inciting violence , they were inundated with videos of police officers being violent .
“ The FBI is seeking information and digital media depicting individuals inciting violence during First Amendment protected peaceful demonstrations , ” the FBI wrote on its Twitter account .
The FBI ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have witnessed unlawful violent actions , we urge you to submit any information , photos , or videos that could be relevant to the case.
” People responded on Twitter with video of : • New York City Police ramming protesters with their vehicles , • Police appearing to aim a smoke grenade launcher at a little boy , • Police attacking , beating and throwing punches at clearly marked media with cameras , • Police/ National Guard firing pepper bullets at a woman filming from her front porch , • Police throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
Click here to read the full story .
This is starting to be a bigger trend : police are putting down their tear gas and riot shields , and joining the protesters to peacefully demonstrate for reform .
In one great example of humanity and leadership , Genesee County , Michigan ’ s sheriff Chris Swanson met a crowd of protesters , and actually took charge to compassionately lead their march through the city .
This is pretty extraordinary .
Protests are typically leaderless , and mobs can take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swanson took charge , telling the crowd “ I want to make this a parade.
” The cops put their weapons down , took their helmets off , and marched together with the protesters… which ensured that ( a ) the protesters ’ voices were still loudly heard , ( b ) they could march without any threat of violence , and ( c ) everything remained safe and orderly .
Click here to read the full story .
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By Simon Black, Sovereign Man
Look, things aren’t feeling so bright and cheery in the US right now. And the sad truth is that there are some tough times ahead.
We usually bring you stories on Friday that are absurd or even infuriating.
I’m sure you’ve seen enough of that this week.
So we thought we’d share a few moments of character and integrity shown at protests across the US, which shined through all the tragedy.
There are bad apples on all sides– some bad apple protestors who loot and burn and destroy. And some bad apple cops who engage in terrible acts of violence.
But there are plenty of good apples on both sides too.
Protesters tackle man breaking up sidewalk for projectiles
Peaceful protesters sprang into action when they saw a man destroying a sidewalk.
The man was dressed in all black, like Antifa, and was apparently destroying the sidewalk to create projectiles to hurl at police and businesses.
But rather than let things escalate, peaceful protesters tackled the man, took his hammer, and handed him over to a group of police who were nearby.
In fact, the police were right standing there, with the man in clear view. And yet they did nothing to stop him.
Cops even almost arrested one of the peaceful protesters who handed the man over. But they let him go after someone explained the situation.
Click here to see the video.
Protesters hold line in front of business to stop looters
Undoubtedly there has been way too much violence, looting, and property destruction. Nothing takes away the moral high ground from a movement like seeing a bunch of guys walk out of an electronics store with big-screen TVs in hand.
And in the early days of these protests, the rage was palpable. Cars were torched, businesses were destroyed, and so much property was stolen.
But people are starting to take a stand against that type of chaos.
In Brooklyn, a group of protesters intervened a few days ago when looters and vandals approached a Target store.
The protestors formed a line in front of the store to stop the looters from smashing windows (and stealing store inventory).
Click here to see the video.
FBI asks for evidence of inciting violence. People send videos of cops instead.
Being an activist in the US, you have to have a sense of humor.
So when the FBI asked the public to send them video evidence of protesters inciting violence, they were inundated with videos of police officers being violent.
“The FBI is seeking information and digital media depicting individuals inciting violence during First Amendment protected peaceful demonstrations,” the FBI wrote on its Twitter account.
The FBI’s website said, “If you witness or have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case.”
People responded on Twitter with video of:
New York City Police ramming protesters with their vehicles,
Police appearing to aim a smoke grenade launcher at a little boy,
Police attacking, beating and throwing punches at clearly marked media with cameras,
Police spraying peaceful protesters with mace unprovoked,
Police/ National Guard firing pepper bullets at a woman filming from her front porch,
Police throwing an old man with a cane to the ground.
Click here to read the full story.
Michigan Sheriff leads protesters in peaceful march
This is starting to be a bigger trend: police are putting down their tear gas and riot shields, and joining the protesters to peacefully demonstrate for reform.
In one great example of humanity and leadership, Genesee County, Michigan’s sheriff Chris Swanson met a crowd of protesters, and actually took charge to compassionately lead their march through the city.
This is pretty extraordinary. Protests are typically leaderless, and mobs can take on a life of their own.
But Swanson took charge, telling the crowd “I want to make this a parade.” The cops put their weapons down, took their helmets off, and marched together with the protesters… which ensured that (a) the protesters’ voices were still loudly heard, (b) they could march without any threat of violence, and (c) everything remained safe and orderly.
Click here to read the full story.
Source: The Daily Bell
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activistpost--2020-06-05--Top 5 Steps to Stop the Police State

Top 5 Steps to Stop the Police State

What needs to be done – and none of them rely on the federal government , including its corrupt court @ @ @ @ @ us .
• War on Liberty : An Overview of Federal Programs that Militarize and @ @ @ @ @ Right to Own a Gun Is the Right to Own Yourself • Weapons of War @ @ @ @ @ Guide to the Militarization of Police Michael Boldin [ send him email ] is the @ @ @ @ @ Center .
He was raised in Milwaukee , WI , and currently resides in Los @ @ @ @ @ him on twitter – @ michaelboldin and Facebook .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth @ @ @ @ @ news .
Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $ 1 per month @ @ @ @ @ on SoMee , HIVE , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect @ @ @ @ @ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Michael Boldin
What needs to be done – and none of them rely on the federal government, including its corrupt court system to come and save us.
Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: June 5, 2020
SHOW LINKS:
Source: Tenth Amendment Center
Michael Boldin [send him email] is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Follow him on twitter – @michaelboldin and Facebook.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
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activistpost--2020-06-05--This Makes No Sense: In Month When US Was Shut Down, BLS Estimated 345K New Businesses Formed

As people dig deeper in the entrails of the most bizarre – and most politicized – jobs report in history , they keep finding more and more irregularities .
Consider this : according to the BLS report , which was based on a survey week from May 10th through May 16th when virtually all of the US was still shut down , the government decided that a record number of new businesses were formed .
According to the BLS ’ s Birth/Death model which is used to adjust the raw payrolls data for estimated new business openings and closures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to new businesses opening in a month when – we will repeat again – the US was largely shut down !
This also means that over 60 % of the business closures from the month of April ( April Birth/Death -553K ) were somehow undone in a month when the US was still mostly closed down .
Needless to say , this was entirely a statistical adjustment in the “ eye of the beholder ” , one which even the BLS felt ashamed of , because in a little noticed addendum to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had made “ changes ” to its net birth-death model due to the coronavirus pandemic , changes which apparently included the modeling of massive business reopenings when millions of small businesses were shutting down .
From the BLS : These two methodological changes are the following : • A portion of both reported zeros and returns from zero in the current month from the sample were used in estimation to better account for the fact that business births and deaths will not offset .
• Current sample growth rates were included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account for the changing relationships between business openings and closings .
Firstly , BLS included a proportion of reports that fell to zero employment and reports that returned from zero employment in the current month in the over-the-month change of the sample-based estimates .
Typically , reports with zero employment in either the previous or current month are not included in estimation .
To account for an excess amount of reports going to zero employment as well as reports returning from zero employment , CES calculated the probabilities that either a reported zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be expected for the month .
These “ excess zeroes ” and “ excess returns from zero ” partially account for drops in employment ( when more business deaths than are usually observed in historical population data occur ) and for increases in employment ( when there are more business births than normal ) .
More specifically , and due to time limitations for implementation , “ excess zeroes ” were used in our March final , April first and second preliminary , and May first preliminary estimates ; “ excess returns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March final , April second preliminary , and May first preliminary estimates .
Secondly , BLS adjusted the portion of business births and deaths that can not be accounted for using our sample data by including more recent information .
Net birth-death forecasts are normally modeled using an auto-regressive integrated moving average ( ARIMA ) based on 5 years of historical birth-death residual values that end 9 months before the forecast of the current month .
Instead of using only historical data—data that would not accurately account for how the labor market has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes data up to the current month was included in the model .
The regression variable is the CES sample-based ratio of over-the-month change , known as the sample link , for each of the major industry sectors .
Each major industry sector sample link was used for the basic-level industries only within that sector .
Using additional regression variables in the net birth-death forecasts accounted for 345,000 in employment for May at the total private level .
The punchline from the above : “ Using additional regression variables in the net birth-death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May at the total private level.
” In short , instead of another 553K drop in jobs due to massive shutterings as was the case in April , the BLS decided to “ add ” 375K jobs because , well… it felt like it .
And that is how you get an almost 1 million swing in monthly payrolls based on nothing more than a statistical revision .
See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income According to the American Dental Association , there are just over 200,000 dentists in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at a time ( as a reminder the survey week was from May 10th through May 16th ) when most dental offices across the US were still shuttered ( and in places like California they still are ) , a record 245K dentist office jobs were added , effectively undoing half of all the April job losses in this job category .
… there was also a large number of workers who were classified as employed but absent from work .
As was the case in March and April , household survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absent from work due to coronavirus-related business closures as unemployed on temporary layoff .
However , it is apparent that not all such workers were so classified .
BLS and the Census Bureau are investigating why this misclassification error continues to occur and are taking additional steps to address the issue .
If the workers who were recorded as employed but absent from work due to “ other reasons ” ( over and above the number absent for other reasons in a typical May ) had been classified as unemployed on temporary layoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been about 3 percentage points higher than reported ( on a not seasonally adjusted basis ) .
How can one explain any of this ?
The only possible explanation is that after decades of China stealing US technology , the BLS finally reverse-engineered China ’ s own economic model spreadsheet where any “ data ” can be goalseeked to be exactly what one wants it to be .
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Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Tyler Durden
As people dig deeper in the entrails of the most bizarre – and most politicized – jobs report in history, they keep finding more and more irregularities.
Consider this: according to the BLS report, which was based on a survey week from May 10th through May 16th when virtually all of the US was still shut down, the government decided that a record number of new businesses were formed. According to the BLS’s Birth/Death model which is used to adjust the raw payrolls data for estimated new business openings and closures, a record 345K new jobs were created due to new businesses opening in a month when – we will repeat again – the US was largely shut down! This also means that over 60% of the business closures from the month of April (April Birth/Death -553K) were somehow undone in a month when the US was still mostly closed down.
Needless to say, this was entirely a statistical adjustment in the “eye of the beholder”, one which even the BLS felt ashamed of, because in a little noticed addendum to the jobs report, the BLS announced it had made “changes” to its net birth-death model due to the coronavirus pandemic, changes which apparently included the modeling of massive business reopenings when millions of small businesses were shutting down. From the BLS:
These two methodological changes are the following: A portion of both reported zeros and returns from zero in the current month from the sample were used in estimation to better account for the fact that business births and deaths will not offset.
Current sample growth rates were included in the net birth-death forecasting model to better account for the changing relationships between business openings and closings. Firstly, BLS included a proportion of reports that fell to zero employment and reports that returned from zero employment in the current month in the over-the-month change of the sample-based estimates. Typically, reports with zero employment in either the previous or current month are not included in estimation. To account for an excess amount of reports going to zero employment as well as reports returning from zero employment, CES calculated the probabilities that either a reported zero or a return from zero exceeded what would be expected for the month. These “excess zeroes” and “excess returns from zero” partially account for drops in employment (when more business deaths than are usually observed in historical population data occur) and for increases in employment (when there are more business births than normal). More specifically, and due to time limitations for implementation, “excess zeroes” were used in our March final, April first and second preliminary, and May first preliminary estimates; “excess returns from zero” were used in our March final, April second preliminary, and May first preliminary estimates. Secondly, BLS adjusted the portion of business births and deaths that cannot be accounted for using our sample data by including more recent information. Net birth-death forecasts are normally modeled using an auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) based on 5 years of historical birth-death residual values that end 9 months before the forecast of the current month. Instead of using only historical data—data that would not accurately account for how the labor market has changed due to COVID-19—a regression variable that includes data up to the current month was included in the model. The regression variable is the CES sample-based ratio of over-the-month change, known as the sample link, for each of the major industry sectors. Each major industry sector sample link was used for the basic-level industries only within that sector. Using additional regression variables in the net birth-death forecasts accounted for 345,000 in employment for May at the total private level .
The punchline from the above: “Using additional regression variables in the net birth-death forecasts accounted for 345,000 in employment for May at the total private level.” In short, instead of another 553K drop in jobs due to massive shutterings as was the case in April, the BLS decided to “add” 375K jobs because, well… it felt like it. And that is how you get an almost 1 million swing in monthly payrolls based on nothing more than a statistical revision.
But wait, there’s more.
According to the American Dental Association, there are just over 200,000 dentists in the US. So how surprising it must be that at a time (as a reminder the survey week was from May 10th through May 16th) when most dental offices across the US were still shuttered (and in places like California they still are), a record 245K dentist office jobs were added, effectively undoing half of all the April job losses in this job category.
… there was also a large number of workers who were classified as employed but absent from work. As was the case in March and April, household survey interviewers were instructed to classify employed persons absent from work due to coronavirus-related business closures as unemployed on temporary layoff. However, it is apparent that not all such workers were so classified. BLS and the Census Bureau are investigating why this misclassification error continues to occur and are taking additional steps to address the issue. If the workers who were recorded as employed but absent from work due to “other reasons” (over and above the number absent for other reasons in a typical May) had been classified as unemployed on temporary layoff, the overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported (on a not seasonally adjusted basis).
How can one explain any of this? The only possible explanation is that after decades of China stealing US technology, the BLS finally reverse-engineered China’s own economic model spreadsheet where any “data” can be goalseeked to be exactly what one wants it to be.
Source: ZeroHedge
Image: Pinterest
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-06-05--AB 5 – California Drivers Fight for Liberty

Yesterday I saw an advertisement about this ballot that is trying to undo AB 5 , a California law that would violate the rights and liberties of drivers of app-based services like Uber Eats , Lyft , DoorDash and the like to operate as independent contractors .
These drivers are providing services that the oh so benevolent ( not ! )
and socialist state government of California under Gruesome Gavin Newsom is unjustly making more expensive , while failing in the fundamental duty of government to protect people ’ s rights and liberties at all costs .
As someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberty and non-coercion prevail rather than socialism and coercion , I must say that OVERALL , I support the ballot .
However , there are problematic parts of it , which I ’ ll detail below , but let me first start with the good parts that I enthusiastically support – they are stated below and can also be found here : Protect app-based work that is essential during these uncertain times .
The ballot measure would protect the right of app-based rideshare and delivery drivers to work as independent contractors if certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control over their own hours and when , where , how long they work , and the ability to work for multiple platforms .
It would preserve access to earning opportunities for struggling Californians needing to supplement lost income or jobs .
The measure would provide for : • Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug offenses • App-based delivery services that provide Californians convenient access to food , medicine , grocery and package delivery services , while providing small businesses like restaurants , grocers and retailers new customers ; and • Rideshare services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve mobility for seniors and the disabled , and provide new transportation options for families who can not afford a vehicle .
Why do I support the above-described measures of the ballot ?
Please find my reasoning below : See : 177 Different Ways to Generate Extra Income I support these measures above because they protect the rights , the fundamental individual liberties , of ride-share companies and the drivers to offer services with flexibility while preserving the right of customers to accept the flexibility-based services offered by drivers .
Ensuring safety with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and protection from sexual harassment are within reason as they aren ’ t costly above and beyond regular business operating expenses .
For these reasons , I don ’ t support these following measures currently on the ballot : The measure requires app-based rideshare and delivery network companies to offer new protections and benefits for drivers , including : • Earnings Guarantee , including : • Drivers always receive at least an amount equal to 120 % of minimum wage , plus 30 cents per mile compensation toward expenses , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how much drivers can make .
• Health care contribution equal to 100 percent of the average employer payment toward a Covered California Plan , or $ 367 per month to a driver on average .
• Drivers start earning this amount at 15 hours per week and reach the full amount at 25 hours per week • The health care provision in the ballot measure is more generous than state and federal laws , which only require health care to be provided to those working more than 30 hours per week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
• A cap on driver hours per day to prevent sleepy driving Why don ’ t I support these measures ?
Please see my reasoning below : Forcing the rideshare companies to bear the heavy expenses of earnings guarantees and health insurance to drivers violates the rights of the companies .
Additionally , imposing these expenses on the companies , rather than letting drivers purchase their own health insurance with their earnings , will result in unintended and undesirable consequences such as higher prices for customers , lower pay for drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new drivers from getting on boarded to the network , and/or stifling investment into things that either result in higher pay for drivers or lower prices for customers , just to name a few .
The ballot should aim to maximize the benefits of customers , drivers , and rideshare companies , which is why I can not support the above-described measures currently in the ballot .
Regarding the need for accident , liability , occupational , and other types of insurance , these should not be made mandatory by law of drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them of drivers on their respective networks , or if the customers demand drivers to carry such insurance , they can force them to do so by refraining from getting service by those uninsured drivers .
Anyway , all California drivers , even those that don ’ t provide delivery or ridesharing services , are already required by law to carry car insurance .
The same concept applies to the cap on driver hours ; customers can filter out getting served by drivers who ’ ve driven too many hours , a quantity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s opinion , by simply avoiding such drivers and selecting drivers that have not driven so many hours .
There is absolutely no need for the government to have the power to enforce something like this .
Already the government uses its power wrongly , intrusively , and abusively by interfering with the rights of voluntary contract and commerce between rideshare companies , drivers , and customers .
Let ’ s not give them more power to do so , in fact , it is our duty , as people in a free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abilities and temptations to do so .
If they can eliminate the bad parts described above , I pray for the success of this ballot , as I believe everyone should .
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Op-Ed by Krishna Chandrasekaran
Yesterday I saw an advertisement about this ballot that is trying to undo AB 5, a California law that would violate the rights and liberties of drivers of app-based services like Uber Eats, Lyft, DoorDash and the like to operate as independent contractors. These drivers are providing services that the oh so benevolent (not!) and socialist state government of California under Gruesome Gavin Newsom is unjustly making more expensive, while failing in the fundamental duty of government to protect people’s rights and liberties at all costs.
As someone who strives to live in a civilization where liberty and non-coercion prevail rather than socialism and coercion, I must say that OVERALL, I support the ballot. However, there are problematic parts of it, which I’ll detail below, but let me first start with the good parts that I enthusiastically support – they are stated below and can also be found here:
Protect app-based work that is essential during these uncertain times.
The ballot measure would protect the right of app-based rideshare and delivery drivers to work as independent contractors if certain criteria are met, such as having control over their own hours and when, where, how long they work, and the ability to work for multiple platforms. It would preserve access to earning opportunities for struggling Californians needing to supplement lost income or jobs.
Protection against discrimination and sexual harassment
Implement new customer and public safety protections.
The measure would provide for:
Recurring background checks of drivers
of drivers Mandatory safety training of drivers
of drivers Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug offenses
Protect access to app-based delivery and rideshare services.
This ballot measure will protect:
App-based delivery services that provide Californians convenient access to food, medicine, grocery and package delivery services, while providing small businesses like restaurants, grocers and retailers new customers; and
Rideshare services that reduce impaired and drunk driving, improve mobility for seniors and the disabled, and provide new transportation options for families who cannot afford a vehicle.
Why do I support the above-described measures of the ballot? Please find my reasoning below:
I support these measures above because they protect the rights, the fundamental individual liberties, of ride-share companies and the drivers to offer services with flexibility while preserving the right of customers to accept the flexibility-based services offered by drivers. Ensuring safety with concise rules like background checks, sobriety, and protection from sexual harassment are within reason as they aren’t costly above and beyond regular business operating expenses. For these reasons, I don’t support these following measures currently on the ballot:
Require new wage and benefit guarantees.
The measure requires app-based rideshare and delivery network companies to offer new protections and benefits for drivers, including:
Earnings Guarantee , including: Drivers always receive at least an amount equal to 120% of minimum wage, plus 30 cents per mile compensation toward expenses, with the potential to earn more and no limits on how much drivers can make.
, including: Health care contribution equal to 100 percent of the average employer payment toward a Covered California Plan, or $367 per month to a driver on average. Drivers start earning this amount at 15 hours per week and reach the full amount at 25 hours per week Drivers can earn multiple contributions from multiple companies The health care provision in the ballot measure is more generous than state and federal laws, which only require health care to be provided to those working more than 30 hours per week, with no benefits for part time workers.
equal to 100 percent of the average employer payment toward a Covered California Plan, or $367 per month to a driver on average. Occupational accident insurance to cover on-the-job injuries
Automobile accident and liability insurance
A cap on driver hours per day to prevent sleepy driving
Why don’t I support these measures? Please see my reasoning below:
Forcing the rideshare companies to bear the heavy expenses of earnings guarantees and health insurance to drivers violates the rights of the companies. Additionally, imposing these expenses on the companies, rather than letting drivers purchase their own health insurance with their earnings, will result in unintended and undesirable consequences such as higher prices for customers, lower pay for drivers, removing drivers from network, preventing new drivers from getting on boarded to the network, and/or stifling investment into things that either result in higher pay for drivers or lower prices for customers, just to name a few. The ballot should aim to maximize the benefits of customers, drivers, and rideshare companies, which is why I cannot support the above-described measures currently in the ballot. Regarding the need for accident, liability, occupational, and other types of insurance, these should not be made mandatory by law of drivers.
The companies themselves can either require them of drivers on their respective networks, or if the customers demand drivers to carry such insurance, they can force them to do so by refraining from getting service by those uninsured drivers. Anyway, all California drivers, even those that don’t provide delivery or ridesharing services, are already required by law to carry car insurance. The same concept applies to the cap on driver hours; customers can filter out getting served by drivers who’ve driven too many hours, a quantity which is subject to each customer’s opinion, by simply avoiding such drivers and selecting drivers that have not driven so many hours. There is absolutely no need for the government to have the power to enforce something like this. Already the government uses its power wrongly, intrusively, and abusively by interfering with the rights of voluntary contract and commerce between rideshare companies, drivers, and customers. Let’s not give them more power to do so, in fact, it is our duty, as people in a free country, to resist and reduce their abilities and temptations to do so.
If they can eliminate the bad parts described above, I pray for the success of this ballot, as I believe everyone should.
Source: Liberty Forecast Blog
Image: Pixabay
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activistpost--2020-06-05--This Is #TheGreatReset. You Have Been Warned.

Welcome back to New World Next Week — the video series from Corbett Report and Media Monarchy that covers some of the most important developments in open source intelligence news .
This week : Watch this video on BitChute / LBRY / Minds.com / YouTube or Download the mp4 Story # 1 : This Is Not a Revolution .
It ’ s a Blueprint for Locking Down the Nation .
• Thousands March In Wake Of George Floyd ’ s Death , From Amsterdam To Tokyo • Cookie-Cutter Unrest in Japan Shows the Global Covid Clampdown Is No Accident Story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time For a ‘ Great Reset ’ ” • ‘ The Great Reset : How New Ways of Living and Working Drive Post-Crash Prosperity ’ Story # 3 : At Least 11 Local News Stations Caught Airing The Exact Same Amazon Propaganda Segment You can help support our independent and non-commercial work by visiting http : //CorbettReport.com/Support & http : //MediaMonarchy.com/Join .
Thank You .
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By The Corbett Report
Welcome back to New World Next Week — the video series from Corbett Report and Media Monarchy that covers some of the most important developments in open source intelligence news. This week:
Watch this video on BitChute / LBRY / Minds.com / YouTube or Download the mp4
Story #1: This Is Not a Revolution. It’s a Blueprint for Locking Down the Nation.
Story #2: “Now Is The Time For a ‘Great Reset’”
Story #3: At Least 11 Local News Stations Caught Airing The Exact Same Amazon Propaganda Segment

You can help support our independent and non-commercial work by visiting http://CorbettReport.com/Support & http://MediaMonarchy.com/Join. Thank You.
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-06-06--Some Positive Moments Amid All The Turmoil This Week