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Last week, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing on Fixing FISA: How a Law Designed to Protect Americans Has Been Weaponized Against Them, ahead of the December 2023 expiration of the Section 702 surveillance authority. The three witnesses,Michael E. Horowitz (Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice), Sharon Bradford Franklin (Chair, U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board), and Beth A. Williams (Board Member, U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board) all sketched out their visions for the good, the bad, and the ugly about the invasive surveillance power.

The witnesses managed to use the hearing to sketch out a vision for what a minimally sufficient bill to reform Section 702 would look like. However, they were not nearly as skeptical as we are ofthe necessity of domestic law enforcements use of these powersespecially when the information collected under 702 could be obtained by law enforcement with a warrant through more traditional avenues.

Section 702 allows the government to conduct surveillance inside the United States by vacuuming up digital communications so long as the surveillance is directed at foreigners currently located outside the United States. It also prohibits intentionally targeting Americans. Nevertheless, the NSA routinely (incidentally) acquires innocent Americans' communications without a probable cause warrant. Once collected, the FBI can search through this massive database of information by querying the communications of specific individuals.

Previously the FBI alone reported conducting up to 3.4 million warrantless searches of Section 702 data in 2021 using Americans identifiers. Congress and the FISA Court haveimposed modest limitations on these backdoor searches,but according to several recent FISA Court opinions, the FBI has engaged in widespread violations of even these minimal privacy protections.

A just-published transparency report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) includes a recalculation of these statistics, reporting instead just under 3 million searches for 2021, and around 120,000 and 800,000 for 2022 and 2020 respectively. The report says that a single cybersecurity investigation in 2021 involving attempts to compromise critical infrastructure led to approximately 1.9 million queries related to potential victimsincluding U.S. persons[and] accounted for the vast majority of the increase in U.S. person queries conducted by FBI over the prior year.

But we should be far from reassured by these revised estimates of warrantless, backdoor searches of the 702 databases. First, even the lowest reported figurenearly 120,000 searches in 2022is still a whole lot of warrantless searches of Americans private communications. Second, the methodology used in this new report requires additional scrutiny. For example, it says that the FBIs new counting method includes deduplication, where instances in which the same query term was run multiple times, whether by the same user or by different users are apparently treated as only one search. Theres no reason to consider that the right way to count, though. If police conducted separate warrantless searches of a persons house on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a court would likely treat that as three separate violations of the persons Fourth Amendment rights.

Regardless of the exact numbers, the disturbing history of overreach is why its so urgent that civil society, concerned people, and lawmakers act to pass legislation that radically reforms Section 702 before were stuck with another 4 years of warrantless backdoor searches of U.S. data.

Chair of the PCLOB Sharon Bradford Franklin had three vital recommendations for the committee to consider before voting on legislation to renew Section 702.

These three suggestions are a good starting point, but much more work needs to be done to address the over-classification and government secrecy that hinders accountability, enables abuse, and prevents people fromsuing to address harms done by government surveillance.

Government representatives are always quick to testify to the legitimacy and utility of these programs by vaguely referencing classified events or attacks that intelligence agencies thwarted thanks to this program. Part of the problems of over-classification and extreme secrecy is that were expected to take their word for it rather than be brought into the process of understanding whether and when these programs actually provide some utility and are notlike Section 215 of the USA FREEDOM Acttouted as absolutely necessary until their authorities expire with little to no pushback from the national security apparatus.

PLCOB member Beth Williams also suggested that Section 702 was not a bulk collection program because it required specific targeting of individuals for surveillancea claim that EFF contests as being an absolute myth.

Even worse, Williams suggested Section 702 and its invasive surveillance capabilitiesvacuuming up and reviewing communications, presumably with people overseas, should be used as a tool for vetting hopeful immigrants to the United States as well as being people vetted for government jobs. Thismight give immigration services the ability to audit entire communication histories before deciding whether an immigrant can enter the country. This is a particularly problematic situation that could cost someone entrance to the United States based on, for instance, their own ora friends political opinionsas happened to a Palestinian Harvard student when his social media account was reviewed when coming to the U.S. to start his semester.

In addition to ending warrantless backdoor searchers, Section 702 also needs new measures of transparency to enable future audits and accountability of these secretive programs. FISA has long contained procedures for private parties to sue over surveillance that violates their rights, including a mechanism for considering classified evidence while preserving national security. But, in lawsuit after lawsuit, the executive branch has sought to avoid these procedures, and the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, has adopted cramped readings of the law that create a de facto national security exception to the Constitution. We need real accountability, and that includes the opportunity to contest surveillance in court.

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At Congressional Hearing, PCLOB Members Suggest Bare ... - EFF

The Kwara Government says it has adopted technological innovation to boost businesses and support youths in the state.

Temi Kolawole, managing director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, disclosed this in Ilorin at the ecosystem engagement on the adoption of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) in Kwara State.

Kolawole explained that the plan was to move more people from the informal sector to formal via technology to assist more youths to be self-reliant.

We have a very well structured business environment in Kwara. With the introduction of Startup Act, there is hope for Kwara youths.

We wanted to bring in innovation and technology to the ease of doing businesses and make life better for Kwara citizens, he said.

Kolawole disclosed that it would take six months to implement the Startup Act and capture youths in the state.

Through capacity building and training, we will surely get there and make Kwara a business hub, he added.

In her submission, Tracy Okoro-Isaac, the state Adoption Lead for NSA, said that the Act was signed into law in 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the Startup Act was signed to create enabling environment for tech-enabled companies to thrive in the country.

She noted that one of the challenges young people have with startups was little or no access to funding.

We want Nigeria to be at forefront as technology producers, solving technology problems.

We have more than enough talents in the country. We need to wake them and show them how to have quality life via technology, she explained.

She described Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as innovation -driven governor, who always key in to the digital economy and prosperity.

Okoro-Issac assured Kwara citizens of prosperous businesses and better life with the adoption of the friendly Nigeria Startup Act.

Also speaking, Ibrahim Akaje, Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, who was represented by Ibrahim Saleh, described the Startup Act as pivotal to economic activities.

He said eight out of 36 states have shown interest in the NSA.

The Kwara Government says it has adopted technological innovation to boost businesses and support youths in the state.Temi Kolawole, managing director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, disclosed this in Ilorin at the ecosystem engagement on the adoption of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) in Kwara State. Kolawole explained that the plan was to move more people from the informal sector to formal via technology to assist more youths to be self-reliant.We have a very well structured business environment in Kwara. With the introduction of Startup Act, there is hope for Kwara youths.We wanted to bring in innovation and technology to the ease of doing businesses and make life better for Kwara citizens," he said.Kolawole disclosed that it would take six months to implement the Startup Act and capture youths in the state.Through capacity building and training, we will surely get there and make Kwara a business hub, he added.In her submission, Tracy Okoro-Isaac, the state Adoption Lead for NSA, said that the Act was signed into law in 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the Startup Act was signed to create enabling environment for tech-enabled companies to thrive in the country.She noted that one of the challenges young people have with startups was little or no access to funding.We want Nigeria to be at forefront as technology producers, solving technology problems.We have more than enough talents in the country. We need to wake them and show them how to have quality life via technology, she explained.She described Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as innovation -driven governor, who always key in to the digital economy and prosperity.Okoro-Issac assured Kwara citizens of prosperous businesses and better life with the adoption of the friendly Nigeria Startup Act.Also speaking, Ibrahim Akaje, Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, who was represented by Ibrahim Saleh, described the Startup Act as pivotal to economic activities.He said eight out of 36 states have shown interest in the NSA.

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Kwara adopts technical innovation to boost businesses, empower youth - Businessday

Pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh provocative speeches (on social media and at gatherings) since he landed in Punjab in September last year have become the main grounds on which the stringent National Security Act was slapped against him, according to senior Punjab Police officials in the know of the matter .

These grounds will be the part of the dossier the Punjab Police is set to submit to the state governments advisory board on April 25, it is learnt. The documents will be presented by a team of Amritsar rural police to the board headed by retired high court judge Justice Shabihul Hasnain (chairperson) with Suveer Sheokand and Divanshu Jainas its members.

Amritpal is currently lodged in an isolated cell in Assams Dibrugarh jail, away from his nine aides booked under NSA. The 37-day hunt for the radical leader had ended in Moga on Sunday with his arrest. One of the aides of Amritpal, Bikramjit Laddu, a resident of SBS Nagar district, who is also booked under NSA, is yet to be arrested.

According to the provisions, it is compulsory for the police to submit details of the reasons behind invoking the NSA to the board which will have to submit its report to the government within seven weeks from the date of detention of the person concerned as per the Act.

The grounds on which the NSA has been invoked against Amritpal are:

*His speeches focus on creation of Khalistan by way of secession of Punjab from India. Police claim it is undermining the sovereignty of the country.

*Amritpal threatened Union home minister Amit Shah against hindrances to his demand for a separate Sikh state. By referring to the assassination of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he said that she too tried to suppress Khalistan militancy but got killed.

*The radical leader made a provocative speech outside the Ajnala police station, threatening the administration not to take any action against him or his associates. He also threatened the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann by saying that if he continued to operate in a similar fashion, he could also be targeted by a human bomb like Dilawar Singh who killed ex-CM Beant Singh.

*Amritpal is always surrounded by several armed private bodyguards who brandish arms and ammunition. His armed followers have formed an armed group called the Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF). Ever since he started his speeches, he had been promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, place of birth and language, say police.

*On the day of his dastarbandi (first ceremonial tying of the turban) at Rode village, Amritpal delivered a speech against Hindus, criticising Hindu culture.At the same event, Jasbir Singh Rode, brother of Lakhbir Singh Rode (chief of the proscribed organisation International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF)/ Khalistan Liberation Force), presented the turban to Amritpal. According to the police tiffin bombs, RDX, explosives, etc were recovered earlier from Jasbirs house and office, and his son Gurmukh Singh was arrested by the NIA.

The advisory board, accompanied by Punjab Police IG Rakesh Aggarwal and SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, had visited the Dibrugarh jail on April 19- 20 to meet the nine NSA detainees. On Tuesday, lawyers of the detainees will also be given the opportunity by the board to defend their case.

Ravinder Vasudeva is a principal correspondent who writes for the Punjab bureau of Hindustan Times.

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NSA slapped on Amritpal for his provocative speeches, say Punjab Police - Hindustan Times

Cedarville University was awarded a grant by the National Security Agency (NSA) to host its first GenCyber cybersecurity camp this summer, June 26-30.

Cedarville University was awarded a grant by the National Security Agency (NSA) to host its first GenCyber cybersecurity camp this summer, June 26-30. The camp is for high school seniors, and students can apply until May 1.

The GenCyber program, sponsored by NSA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), seeks to ignite, increase and sustain interest in cybersecurity for participants at the middle/high school levels. Cedarvilles ABET-accredited cybersecurity program, housed in the school of engineering and computer science, offers students the opportunity to study the field in an academically rigorous, Christian environment.

We are honored and excited to be selected by the NSA to host a GenCyber camp, said Dr. Seth Hamman, director of the Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity and associate professor of cyber operations and computer science. It is a competitive process because the NSAs GenCyber program is highly regarded.

Cedarvilles camp offers 30 slots for rising high school seniors at no cost. While on campus, students will learn basic cybersecurity skills, experience hands-on laboratory exercises and simulations and enjoy an after-hours tour of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, where they will have dinner and conduct tours with local cybersecurity professionals.

Students will also learn about the importance of cybersecurity to our national security and our economy and the numerous career options available in the field. In addition, students will also learn important basic skills for staying safe online and will be introduced to resources to continue their skill development after camp.

This camp will also debunk cybersecurity stereotypes.

The field is more diverse than people think. It is not just about hackers in hoodies. The cyber ecosystem has many moving parts with roles to play for lots of skillsets. We want to show campers how they can use their skills and passions to advance cybersecurity."

Hamman hopes to promote awareness about the different kinds of government cybersecurity jobs, many of which are Department of Defense positions. According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, the United States is currently experiencing a cybersecurity workforce shortage of over 3.4 million.

Through GenCyber camps, the NSA and NSF hope to provide participants with an opportunity to consider pursuing cybersecurity for a career. For Cedarville's cybersecurity program, hosting a GenCyber camp is a great way to help accomplish their goal of advancing cybersecurity for the benefit of society.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.

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Cedarville To Host First GenCyber Camp - Cedarville University

By Dan CookApril 24, 2023 at 11:36 AM

Heres a surprise: The No Surprises Act (NSA) passed by Congress in 2020 is working. Thats the word from a research report from the Urban Institute.

Several researchers from the Urban Institute and Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms (with backing from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)conducted interviews with 32 regulators and stakeholders representing consumers, payers, hospitals and billing companies. The researchers also used data analysis to review the Acts efficacy since its passage, and found that it seems to be having the desired effect.

We wanted to see whether it was doing what it should be doing and were pleased to hear that it seems to be working, said Urban Institutes Jack Hoadley, the studys lead author.

The NSA was designed to protect consumers from large, unexpected bills for out-of-network medical services, including life-flight transportation, certain emergency room bills, and procedures done outside the consumers home network that the patient did not realize were outside the network.

Hoadley said all parties providers, payors and service users have made strides to facilitate the proper operation of the Act. While there was skepticism originally about whether providers and payors would make the system changes required, Hoadley says it appears that most have done so.

Employer- sponsored self-funded plan members are now enjoying the full protection of the Act, he said, since complaints from those members are now handled by federal adjudicators. Previously, self-funded plans had not enjoyed the same protections as fully funded plans, which could appeal balance bills to state agencies. States did not have the authority to hear self-funded plan member complaints about the charges.

Theres no difference now between fully funded and self-funded, he says. Providers cannot balance bill the self-funded plans as they were able to do before the act was passed. The act is good news for all employer plans. The law specifically addressed these issues to make sure they hit all types of insurance.

Among the studys findings:

The studys results notwithstanding, its authors noted that they were preliminary and could be somewhat misleading. Consumers could be paying balance bills without realizing it, due to the low level of health literacy in the U.S. Not all payors and providers have taken the administrative steps necessary to process balance bill claims. And there could be more claims in the pipeline that have not yet been processed, which would create a false sense of a low claims environment.

But overall the authors were satisfied that the NSA is working and saving consumers and plan sponsors money and time not spent fighting balance bills.

One year after implementation of the NSA, informants largely agreed that consumers are being well-protected from surprise balance bills covered under the law, they wrote. However, it is too early to assess whether the NSA will constrain the growth in health insurance premiums and encourage broader provider networks, and concerns remain that coverage gaps in the NSA, such as for ground ambulance services, can leave consumers with unexpected financial liability.

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No Surprises Act: Has the law had the desired impact on surprise billing? - BenefitsPro