https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-tells-congress-iran-conflict-is-over-sidestepping-war-authorization/ar-AA22boTx

At the 60-Day Mark, the Iran War is Triply Illegal
https://www.justsecurity.org/137669/60-day-mark-iran-war-triply-illegal/

Trump Brags About U.S. Navy in Iran: “We’re Like Pirates - And It’s Very Profitable”

“We took over the ship, we took over ​the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very ​profitable business,” Trump said in remarks on Friday evening. “We’re ⁠like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates but we are not ​playing games.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-us-navy-acting-like-pirates-carry-out-naval-blockade-iranian-ports-2026-05-02/

Trump’s Iran War Continues to Violate the Constitution - and Now Also the War Powers Act of 1973

https://reason.com/volokh/2026/05/01/trumps-iran-war-continues-to-violate-the-constitution-and-now-also-the-war-powers-act-of-1973/

Trump’s Iran War Has Cost Taxpayers $25 Billion
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-war-iran-has-cost-25-billion-so-far-says-pentagon-official-2026-04-29/

Trump Administration Uses Emergency Powers to Clear $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Israel, Qatar and the UAE

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/may/02/us-fast-tracks-arms-deals-valued-at-86-billion-to-/

7 American AI Companies to Help Pentagon Fight Its Wars

Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX will provide their resources to help “augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments,” the Defense Department said.

https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-artificial-intelligence-military-classified-systems-war-060cecf836c4cebcf012a3ceb5333f2c

The Bulwark

EXCLUSIVE: State Dept. Finalizing Plan to Put Trump Picture on U.S. Passports

THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSE TO FINALIZING a radical redesign of the U.S. passport to include a picture of President Donald Trump, The Bulwark ha…

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6 days ago · 1027 likes · 629 comments · Benjamin Parker

Critics Torch Plastering ‘Trump’s Scowling Face’ On New U.S. Passports

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-passports-trumps-face-reaction_n_69f1495ce4b0f2c72139c4aa

Gov. Newsom trolls Trump’s plan to put his face on new passports with scathing license parody

https://www.ktvu.com/news/newsom-trolls-trumps-unveilling-limited-edition-u-s-passport.amp

All the Things Trump Has Put His Name and Face on as President

https://time.com/article/2026/03/27/trump-name-face-signature-currency-government-buildings-programs/

Passports to Kennedy Center: 13 places Trump’s name or likeness now appears

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5855218-passports-kennedy-center-trump-name-likeness/

Trump threatens Iran with AI picture of himself with a gun: ‘No more Mr. Nice guy!’

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/29/trump-iran-threat-ai-picture-gun-war-strait-of-hormuz.html

Senate Republicans block measure to stop Trump from attacking Cuba

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5854017-senate-republicans-block-trump-cuba-resolution/

Trump jokes that the US Navy will takeover Cuba ‘almost immediately’ on the way back from Iran

https://www.euronews.com/2026/05/02/trump-jokes-that-the-us-navy-will-takeover-cuba-almost-immediately-on-the-way-back-from-ir

Trump’s Cuban American base is no longer guaranteeing him loyalty

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/02/trump-cuba-policy-florida-00902686

Trump’s DOJ Indicts James Comey for Seashells Photo That Spelled out “8647”

“Well, I have to say, I must be in a parallel universe to be talking about the shell artwork of James Comey,” Fox News legal contributor Jonathan Turley replied. “But the fact is that it is relevant only to the extent that he might have denied a fact that proved to be, his denial proved to be false to federal officials.”

https://www.rawstory.com/jonathan-turley-comey-indictment

https://www.courthousenews.com/former-fbi-director-comey-indicted-for-second-time-over-beachgoing-instagram-post/

DOJ’s indictment of James Comey over “8647” should be thrown out

https://reason.com/volokh/2026/04/28/analyzing-indictment-of-james-comey-for-86-47-post/#more-8379828

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalized with ‘8647’ graffiti after Trump changes

https://archive.ph/naf1A

Trump calls people of color “low IQ” in 84% of posts

In the first 10 months of his second term, Trump never once referred to a white person as “low IQ,” leveling that attack solely against nonwhite people.

https://truthout.org/articles/8-in-10-posts-by-trump-calling-someone-low-iq-feature-a-person-of-color/

Hegseth laughs off antisemitism accusations from Jacky Rosen over ‘Pharisee’ comments

https://archive.ph/p3umO

How a Republican state lawmaker tried to let Holocaust deniers hijack history lessons
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5708847/holocaust-denial-conspiracy-theory-politics

City of Westminster Unveils Charlie Kirk Way Signs Amid Community Division

https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2026-04-29-westminster-unveils-charlie-kirk-way-signs-amid-community-division/

Federal unions sue the Office of Personnel Management over Trump Loyalty Essay Questions

Ori Lev, an attorney at Protect Democracy who is representing the plaintiffs, told the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in a declaration posted Monday that he recently went through the application process for several federal job openings — but in each case, the essay questions were marked as a “required” field.

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2026/04/federal-job-applicants-cant-skip-loyalty-question-that-opm-says-is-optional-court-filings-claim/

Napoleon, Caesar, Alexander the Great—And Trump

https://archive.ph/Bysp3

ICE Arrests Have Tripled During Trump’s Second Term

https://www.kcra.com/article/trump-second-term-ice-arrest-data-by-state/71077287

Trump’s DOJ can use military lawyer to prosecute civilian, judge rules

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-department-can-use-military-lawyers-prosecute-civilians-judge-rules-2026-05-02/

Judge: Looks Like A Police State To Me, Ruling On ICE Migrant Detention Cases

“A contrary rule—the one that the USAO here defends by backing detention and opposing release—“would obliterate one of the most fundamental distinctions between our form of government, where officers are under the law, and the police-state where they are the law,” New York judge Sanket Bulsara said.

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/28/looks-like-a-police-state-to-me-says-federal-judge-handling-migrant-detention-cases/

Appeals Court Rules Against Trump’s Indefinite Detention Policy

https://archive.ph/CWuaP

DOJ sued for blocking public and press from accessing immigration courts

https://www.rcfp.org/doj-immigration-court-access/

Trump administration sues an entire federal court in Maryland for waiting 2 days to deport immigrants who file writs of habeas corpus

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/federal-judges-sued-by-trump-administration-ask-appeals-court-reject-misguided-2026-04-30/

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/the-virus-would-only-spread-entire-court-sued-by-trump-admin-urges-4th-circuit-to-slam-door-shut-on-extraordinary-branch-on-branch-lawsuit-to-avoid-greater-disruptions/

Appeals court: No constitutional right to be ‘free from tear gas’ at ICE facilities

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-clear-to-use-tear-gas-chemicals-at-portland-ice-facility/

ICE’s Work with Local Police Departments is Being Kept Secret

“ICE claims it shouldn’t have to respond to FOAI requests at all.”

https://americanoversight.org/ice-287g-foia-transparency/

Mass. police share fingerprint data with ICE
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58ea378e414fb5fae5ba06c7/t/69ee81d82527712157967b51/1777238488340/ICE+Out.pdf

MA judge IDs ICE agent being sued for choking a man into unconsciousness

https://www.universalhub.com/2026/judge-unmasks-ice-agent-suit-over-whether-he-choked-man

Nearly half of immigrants arrested by ICE in Mass. had no criminal conviction or charge

https://archive.ph/6XhND

Mainers arrested after protesting at ICE facility in Mass: ‘It’s inhumane’

“I found as a citizen of the United States that it was absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable that these people are being held without due process,” Jasa Porciello, of Portland, ME said. “Due process is part of our rights as citizens and these people are here legally or without criminal record and it’s just not acceptable. When their rights are violated, it’s an erosion of my rights as an American. We can’t let the baseline of our rights be eroded in this way. It’s cruel, it’s not acceptable, it’s inhumane.”

Judge reluctant to order ICE to improve conditions at Southern California facility

https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-reluctant-to-order-ice-to-improve-conditions-at-southern-california-facility/

Trump administration sues New Jersey over law barring ICE from wearing masks

https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-administration-sues-new-jersey-over-state-law-barring-ice-from-wearing-masks/

DEFIANCE.News

Rachel Maddow is helping STOP Trump's prison camps. To do it, she broke one rule.

Last night, Rachel Maddow devoted the majority of her show to the growing national movement to block Trump’s prison camps from taking root in American communities. She also did something she almost never does…

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6 days ago · 1500 likes · 28 comments · Miles Taylor

ICE Is Rapidly Expanding Detention Camps into Warehouses Despite Record Deaths

https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/deaths-in-detention-ice-is-rapidly-expanding-detention-camps-into-warehouses-despite-record-deaths

AG Investigation Finds Nothing ‘Nefarious’ In Not Alerting NH Gov. Ayotte About ICE Detention Center

https://indepthnh.org/2026/05/01/ag-probe-finds-nothing-nefarious-in-not-alerting-ayotte-about-ice-contact/

Apply the Minnesota Protocol to ICE’s Summary Executions of Unarmed Protesters

https://www.justsecurity.org/131790/apply-minnesota-protocol-ice-summary-executions/

ICE arrests of Cubans skyrocket under Trump as green cards plummet

https://archive.ph/XWFns

A police department lawsuit against a Black Lives Matter activist could chill all of our speech

https://www.fire.org/news/lawsuit-against-black-lives-matter-activist-could-chill-all-our-speech

Mass. police chief raises alarm over protests at ICE office

https://archive.ph/Oqtr0

ME couple say DHS called after they took videos of ICE activity

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/29/south-portland-couple-says-dhs-called-after-they-took-videos-of-ice-activity/

Trump Endorses Rebranding ICE as NICE
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/trump-endorses-rebranding-ice-as-nice/

New DHS chief’s call for quieter immigration enforcement alarms MAGA base

https://archive.ph/Sj1So

More Details Emerge of Trump’s Secret Use of ICE to Spy on Critics

ICE targets personal information of Trump critics.

https://truthout.org/articles/more-details-emerge-of-trumps-secret-use-of-ice-to-spy-on-critics/

Academic Freedom in the U.S. Has Declined Quicker Than Anywhere in the World

“The decline in academic freedom in the United States began around 2020, largely fueled by state-level actions in several states, and mostly undertaken by officials aligned with the MAGA movement. At the federal level, the government is using not only executive orders but [also] coercive executive actions, cancelling of contracts, not making payments on approved grants, changes to various policies and practices outside the terms of statutory rules and procedures.”

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20260320155848399

https://academic-freedom-index.net/research/Academic_Freedom_Index_Update_2026.pdf

Press Freedom at Lowest Level in 25 Years and Trump is to Blame

The media rights watchdog cited as examples US President Donald Trump’s “systematic” attacks on journalists and Saudi Arabia, which executed a journalist in 2025. US President Donal Trump has turned his repeated attacks on the press and journalists into a systematic policy, pushing the US down to 64th place.

https://rsf.org/en/2026-rsf-index-press-freedom-25-year-low

US Falls to Lowest-Ever Rank on Press Freedom Index Under Trump

https://www.commondreams.org/news/us-press-freedom-index

US falls below Ukraine in press freedom as global autocracy takes hold

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/us-falls-below-ukraine-in-press-freedom-as-global-autocracy-takes-hold/

Inflation spikes to 3.5 percent in March as Iran war drove prices higher

https://thehill.com/business/5856788-march-inflation-rate-spikes

Trump’s Approval Rating Plunges So Low It Breaks Pollster’s Graph

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-approval-rating-plunges-so-low-it-breaks-pollsters-graph/

https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-approval-rating-hits-new-low-with-his-most-favorable-pollster-11900983

Trump Approval Rating Slips Over Ethics And Honesty

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/05/01/trump-loses-ground-on-several-personal-traits-as-approval-rating-slips/

Republicans want National Guard troops at every World Cup event

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republicans-call-national-guard-role-091834486.html

Over 120 Civil Society Groups Issue Travel Advisory for U.S. Ahead of FIFA World Cup

“Fans, journalists and others traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup risk encountering a deeply troubling human rights landscape, shaped by the Trump administration’s racist immigration policies, mass detention and deportation, and attacks on freedom of expression and peaceful protest,” said Daniel Noroña, Americas Advocacy Director with Amnesty International.

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/over-120-civil-society-groups-issue-travel-advisory-for-u-s-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup

2026 World Cup In the U.S. Will Kick Off in Climate of Fear (ICE)

Can anyone say Berlin Olympics of 1936?

The 79-page “Reporters’ Guide for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States” summarizes Human Rights Watch findings on human rights conditions across all three host countries and the particular risks that the US government’s policies pose to journalists, fans, players, and immigrant communities. The guide describes FIFA’s weak response to the human rights risks posed by the US President Donald Trump administration’s abuse of immigrants and its failure to meet its human rights commitments for the tournament.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/04/27/2026-world-cup-tournament-will-kick-off-in-climate-of-fear

Alabama county’s Confederate Memorial Day post prompts sharp reactions

https://www.al.com/news/2026/04/this-is-a-parody-right-alabama-countys-confederate-memorial-day-post-prompts-sharp-reactions.html

Hundreds of Incarcerated Migrants Go on Hunger Strike in Remote Michigan Prison

https://truthout.org/articles/hundreds-of-incarcerated-migrants-go-on-hunger-strike-in-remote-michigan-prison/

Trump Replacing Immigration Judges With Fringe Right-Wingers

https://archive.ph/G9fUx

New Mexico to End Cooperation With ICE

https://truthout.org/articles/new-mexico-becomes-the-latest-state-to-end-cooperation-with-ice-under-new-law/

Portland, ME City Council postpones vote on ordinance limiting ICE cooperation

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/27/portland-city-council-postpones-vote-on-ordinance-limiting-ice-cooperation/

A major Vermont employer supplies helmets used by ICE

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/30/a-major-vermont-employer-supplies-helmets-used-by-ice/

White House wants critics to stop echoing Trump’s rhetoric, flunking self-awareness

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/white-house-wants-critics-stop-130555962.html

Trump Supercut Exposes His ‘Vile Insults’ Amid GOP Calls To ‘Tone Down The Rhetoric’

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-democrats-rhetoric-dinner-shooting-mehdi-hasan-zeteo-supercut_n_69f09e9de4b07987f65c1c45

Kid Rock, Pete Hegseth fly in Army Apache attack helicopters

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/28/g-s1-118998/kid-rock-flies-army-helicopter

Pentagon Says It Gave Kid Rock a Helicopter Ride to Help Him Film Tour Promo

https://truthout.org/articles/pentagon-says-it-gave-kid-rock-a-helicopter-ride-to-help-him-film-tour-promo/

Ukrainian Police Name Trump Supporter Steven Seagal as Illegal Arms Recipient

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74935

The Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Is No Excuse for More Security Theater (White House Ballroom)

https://reason.com/2026/04/27/the-correspondents-dinner-shooting-is-no-excuse-for-more-security-theater/

MAGA Influencers Were Paid To Coordinate Talking Points After WHCD Shooting

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ashley-st-claire-maga-influencers-group-chat-whcd_n_69eff33ee4b05adce6454419

Boing Boing

Tom the Dancing Bug: Trump Reveals Plan to Turn All Schools into Ballrooms

Tom the Dancing Bug: News of the Times – Trump Reveals New Plan to Turn All Schools into Ballrooms…

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6 days ago · 10 likes · 1 comment · Ruben Bolling

DISGUSTED: Republican Lawmakers Move on Legislation to Build and Fund Trump’s $400M White House Ballroom

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congress-republicans-push-legislation-build-fund-trumps-400-million-ballroom-2026-04-27/

Amtrak union officials use Correspondent’s Dinner shooting to demand TSA security for passengers

https://apnews.com/article/amtrak-trump-correspondents-train-guns-security-f172c3261ba90e3c1f18761b0c414179

Trump’s Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) to receive $55 billion

https://archive.ph/qwydu

Pentagon officials broadly detail $55 billion drone plan under DAWG

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/pentagon-officials-broadly-detail-55-billion-drone-plan-under-dawg/

Trump’s U.S. Southern Command announces Autonomous Warfare Command focused on the Caribbean and Central America

https://www.southcom.mil/News/PressReleases/Article/4466083/southcom-establishes-autonomous-warfare-command/

Autonomous weapons will be ‘key and essential part’ of warfare, Joint Chiefs chair says

https://www.nextgov.com/defense/2026/04/autonomous-weapons-will-be-key-and-essential-part-warfare-joint-chiefs-chair-says/413064/

Ken Klippenstein

Pre-Teen Terrorists: FBI’s New Target

For updates that won’t get filtered by social media algorithms and to support my work, PLEASE subscribe…

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21 days ago · 413 likes · 34 comments · Ken Klippenstein and Dan Boguslaw

Why Trump Can’t Charge Anyone With ‘Domestic Terrorism’

The Trump administration already claims the authority to label people “domestic terrorists” based on such perceived offenses as “anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity.” The FBI cited January 6 as justification to dramatically increase surveillance of American citizens who opposed then-President Joe Biden. We should look skeptically at any further expansion of power that will supposedly fight “terror.”

https://reason.com/2026/04/28/the-feds-cant-charge-anyone-with-domestic-terrorism/

Detroit Police Department’s use of facial recognition for violent crime probes is down

https://www.bridgedetroit.com/detroits-use-of-facial-recognition-for-violent-crime-investigations-is-down-heres-why/

Lawton Police to use Clearview AI Facial Recognition

https://www.swoknews.com/community_news/lawton-council-adopts-facial-recognition-technology-policy/article_5f263e1d-0ad9-5295-a012-5d4874f4effe.html

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office wants to use Clearview AI facial recognition

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/sheriffs-office-seeks-powerful-facial-recognition-tech-from-controversial-clearview-ai/article_d0becf5d-288e-4166-a9f8-821fc2fd4255.html

Erie County lawmakers ban businesses from collecting and selling facial recognition data

https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/businesses-banned-collecting-selling-biometric-data-erie-county/71-9844b4ba-1629-478c-88b3-8a1a42b0e3c0

MIT University Police to use 500 Facial Recognition Cameras to Spy on Everyone
“Technical specifications for the cameras suggest that they will be capable of collecting real-time face and object classification data, including detection of motion, loitering, crowds, face masks, and camera tampering. Individuals can also be automatically classified on the basis of clothing color, gender, and age, up to a distance of 35 feet (11 meters) from the camera.”

https://thetech.com/2026/04/16/ai-surveillance-cameras

Meta Fires Contractors Who Reviewed Explicit Video From Smart Glasses

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/04/meta-cuts-contractors-who-reported-seeing-ray-ban-meta-users-have-sex/

Facial recognition data is a key to your identity – if stolen, you can’t just change the locks

https://theconversation.com/facial-recognition-data-is-a-key-to-your-identity-if-stolen-you-cant-just-change-the-locks-278289

Disneyland using facial recognition to ID visitors

https://ktla.com/news/theme-parks/disneyland/disneyland-guests-can-opt-out-of-facial-recognition-at-park-entrances/

Trump’s FMCSA to use IDEMIA Facial Recognition to ID Commercial Drivers

“As the lead federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. To help achieve this, FMCSA has partnered with IDEMIA to perform identity document capture and verification services to safely collect customer registration data and prevent fraud.”

https://www.identogo.com/services/fmcsa-registration

Wearing clothing with people’s faces can trick facial recognition

https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.19365

California to hand over driver’s license data after DHS threats

https://archive.ph/h7rTf

https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2026/04/california-dmv-shares-immigrant-driver-data/

A DOGE Affiliate Is Now in Charge of the US Government’s Digital ID Platform

https://archive.ph/d5R4E

Trump Administration Fast-Tracks the Digital Control Grid

“Banks will be required to verify every customer’s citizenship using a U.S. passport containing embedded RFID chips and government-ready facial recognition biometrics. No passport? No bank account. Period. Real ID, driver’s licenses, and every other common document will not suffice. This is not border security. This is the final knot in the digital noose.”

https://www.theburningplatform.com/2026/04/25/trump-administration-fast-tracks-the-digital-control-grid/

Apple Adds Age Verification to Digital ID in Wallet, Moves Beyond TSA Airport Checkpoints

https://reclaimthenet.org/apple-digital-id-age-verification-rollout

How a retired technician handed EFF the proof of NSA mass spying

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-whistleblower-who-uncovered-the-nsas-big-brother-machine/

House Approves Three-Year Extension of Warrantless Section 702 Spy Powers

https://news.antiwar.com/2026/04/29/house-approves-three-year-extension-of-warrantless-spy-powers/

https://reclaimthenet.org/house-renews-fisa-section-702-rejects-warrant-requirement

‘Dangerous and Shameful’: 42 House Democrats Help GOP Send Trump Spying Bill (Section 702) to Senate

https://www.commondreams.org/news/fisa-section-702-reauthorization

Congress Extends Section 702 Spy Program 45 Days

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/g-s1-119094/congress-fisa-702

Privacy Advocates Relieved Trump ‘Can’t Get Their Warrantless FISA Reauthorization Across the Finish Line’

https://www.commondreams.org/news/fisa-reform

The Trump Surveillance State Section 702

https://www.creators.com/read/judge-napolitano

CO Man Asks Supreme Court to Revive Fourth Amendment’s Warrant Requirements
Michael Mendenhall’s Denver, Colorado townhome was searched and his property seized after the police used thirdhand information to get a search warrant. He was also forced to spend a night in jail. The testimony of a single witness was passed like a game of “telephone” from a Denver, police officer, to a detective, and then to a judge. Days after his arrest, the charges against Michael were dropped. However, the police continue to hold onto the commemorative baseball bat they seized with the warrant. “By deleting a whole clause from the Fourth Amendment’s text, the Supreme Court erased a powerful safeguard from our Constitution,” said IJ Senior Attorney Patrick Jaicomo. “Through this and other modern refinements, the courts have transformed the warrant process from a meaningful check on government abuse into a mechanism of laundering accountability.”

https://ij.org/press-release/denver-man-asks-supreme-court-to-revive-fourth-amendments-warrant-requirements/

A SCOTUS Geofencing Case Exposes the Dangers of 2 Misguided Fourth Amendment Doctrines

https://reason.com/2026/04/29/a-scotus-case-exposes-the-dangers-of-2-misguided-fourth-amendment-doctrines/

Supreme Court appears split over controversial use of ‘geofence’ search warrants

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/28/scotus-chatrie-geofence-search-warrant-ruling-arguments/

SCOTUS Justices Put Skeptical Questions to Government on Geofencing and Privacy

https://www.protectprivacynow.org/news/scotus-justices-put-skeptical-questions-to-government-on-geofencing-and-privacy

NYC councilmember’s bill would ban NYPD from arming robots

https://archive.ph/RXLbR

Open Records Laws Reveal ALPRs’ Sprawling Surveillance. Now States Want to Block What the Public Sees

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/open-records-laws-reveal-alprs-sprawling-surveillance-now-states-want-block-what

Institute for Justice Promises to Continue Fight for Privacy Rights After Legislation on Flock Safety License Plate Readers Fails to Advance

https://ij.org/press-release/institute-for-justice-promises-to-continue-fight-for-privacy-rights-after-legislation-on-automated-license-plate-readers-fails-to-advance/

Flock Safety caught spying on kids in gymnastics centers, fitness studios, libraries, schools, playgrounds, and private pools

Police Have used Flock Safety Cameras to Stalk Romantic Interests at Least 14 Times in Recent Years

https://ij.org/police-have-reportedly-used-license-plate-readers-to-stalk-romantic-interests-at-least-14-times-in-recent-years/

Flock Safety Introduces Propaganda “Audit Assistance” Tool

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/04/14/3273480/0/en/Flock-Safety-Introduces-Audit-Assistance-Its-Latest-Trust-Compliance-Tool-to-Set-A-New-Standard-for-Accountable-Public-Safety-Technology.html

Los Angeles police used surveillance drones over 3K times last year

Some members of communities where they most often hover have come to consider them an unwelcome intrusion and a reminder of the LAPD’s overbearing presence. Critics worry that the quieter, nimbler drones will be used to surveil the public with little oversight. The news site the Intercept reported that the department deployed drones to monitor crowds during the recent “No Kings” protests.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-28/lapd-drone-helicopter-program

White House visits Fairfax County’s real-time crime center as Skydio announces they’re investing $3.5 billion in police surveillance drones

https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/04/27/fcpd-touts-drone-program-as-vendor-announces-3-5-billion-investment/

SkyfireAI raises $11M for police surveillance drones

https://theaiinsider.tech/2026/04/29/skyfireai-raises-11m-in-seed-funding-to-develop-autonomous-drone-fleet-platform-for-first-responders-and-defense/

The University of Michigan trains cops to use drones to spy on the public

“We’re trying to help these public safety departments establish their policies and procedures for drone use,” said James Lollar, Mcity’s test facilities manager. “Like the military, first responders are just dipping their toe into utilization. And the first question is ‘How can we most effectively use these new tools?’” The training is one of the first examples of how Mcity, part of the U-M Transportation Research Institute, expanded its scope as a public-private mobility partnership from the ground to the sky with last summer’s launch of M-air. “Implementing drone-based mapping enhances the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Police Department’s ability to document incidents, plan operations, and manage large park areas with greater accuracy and efficiency,” said Sgt. Chris Proudlock.

https://news.engin.umich.edu/2026/03/michigan-first-responders-train-on-drone-technology-and-use-with-experts-at-u-m/

BRINC’s Guardian Police Drones are Integrated with Elon Musk’s Starlink

https://brincdrones.com/news/brinc-unveils-guardian-launching-the-next-era-of-drone-as-first-responder/

Spokane Police Purchase 4 Skydio Surveillance Drones to Spy on World Cup Fans

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/20/spokane-police-to-receive-barriers-and-ai-powered-/

Wayland, MA police to use surveillance drones

https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2026/04/29/three-wayland-ma-police-officers-comprise-new-drone-unit/89840603007/

St. Charles County police departments to purchase surveillance drones

https://www.stlpr.org/law-order/2026-04-27/two-st-charles-county-police-departments-on-the-verge-of-launching-new-drone-response

Trump’s Sons Cash In on Dad’s War With Mega Drone Deal

https://archive.ph/wmqYz

As Hegseth Touts Autonomous Warfare Command, Human Rights Expert Pushes Civilian Protections

https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2026/04/30/as-hegseth-touts-autonomous-warfare-command-human-rights-expert-pushes-civilian-protections/

Power-Crazed Hegseth Gets Wish: All Marines required to follow grooming standards within 12 months or face separation

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/04/27/all-marines-required-to-follow-grooming-standards-within-12-months-or-face-separation

Police Violence

Women’s Incarceration Rates Soar, Outpacing Men’s Growth

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2026/04/27/updated-charts-2026/

How Police Unions Hold a City Hostage

“Racial profiling has returned in full force with the blessing of the Supreme Court. ICE’s budget has exploded as its agents invade cities, terrorize communities, and throw tens of thousands into gulags without due process. Meanwhile, police continue to kill at record rates. Under Trump, police can break laws and impose racial hierarchies without pretending to care about “community policing” or even the Constitution.”

https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/how-to-hold-a-city-hostage/

Judge rebukes ex-DOJ attorney for AI-generated brief

https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-rebukes-ex-doj-attorney-for-ai-generated-brief/

Alameda County accused of secretly recording attorney-client jail meetings, raising constitutional concerns

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/04/26/alameda-county-jail-illegal-recording-attorney-client/

People Using AI to Represent Themselves in Court Are Clogging the System

https://archive.ph/m4e4T

Colorado legislation hoped to clear up forensic scientist Missy Woods scandal. Defense attorneys are now overwhelmed with cases

https://www.cpr.org/2026/04/27/legislation-missy-woods-scandal-defense-attorney/

Junk Science Warning: LA prosecutors ask state Supreme Court to reinstate death penalty for Jimmie Duncan based bite-mark evidence

https://veritenews.org/2026/04/28/jimmie-duncan-death-row-supreme-court/

Junk Science Warning: Capitol police officer wrongfully accused of planting bombs on Jan. 6th based on ‘gait analysis’

In their story, Mr. Baker and Mr. Hanneman wrote that they had arranged a forensic study of Ms. Kerkhoff’s gait by an unnamed analyst. A “software algorithm,” the story said, showed she was a 94 percent match to the pipe bomber. The analyst determined that the match was closer to 98 percent based on “visual observations.” The story also said the findings had been confirmed by several anonymous intelligence sources. The writers said this “gait analysis” had been done by using security video of Ms. Kerkhoff as well as footage of her playing soccer eight years earlier, and comparing them with the Jan. 5 video of the pipe-bomb suspect

https://archive.ph/2hWgL

Junk Science Warning: Debunked Arson Science Keeps Mother Imprisoned for Nearly 30 Years

https://theappeal.org/maria-montalvo-arson-junk-science-new-jersey/

One of Detroit Police Department’s toughest homicide interrogators accused of coercing false confessions

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/26/us/detroit-barbara-simon-exonerations

YAWN: FDA May Finally Make It Illegal to Shock Autistic Kids as Punishment

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/fda-electric-shock-disabled-autistic-children-punishment/

NY man’s name cleared after decades in prison for ’93 murder; judge faults former prosecutors for ‘grievous wrong’

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/04/28/harlem-mans-name-cleared-decades-prison-murder/

Innocent man beaten by NYPD officers files $100M lawsuit (cops didn’t activate bodycams)

https://nypost.com/2026/04/28/us-news/nyc-man-beaten-by-cops-in-liquor-store-to-sue-for-100-million/

How the NYPD Shot Down Gang Database Reforms

https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/28/nypd-gang-database-reforms-mamdani-jessica-tisch/

Suffolk County police debut $60K Corvette Stingray

https://nypost.com/2026/04/29/us-news/long-island-cops-rock-60k-corvette-stingray-in-fast-and-furious-warning-to-drunk-drivers/

Judge dismisses charges against Suffolk County Police Chief accused of indecent exposure, because he resigned

https://longisland.news12.com/charges-including-public-lewdness-to-be-dropped-against-former-suffolk-police-chief-james-burke

MA defendants on more than 140 cases notified of probe into state police trooper Sgt. Scott Quigley

https://archive.ph/ICXJ8

MA State Police Reputation Cooked!

https://archive.ph/uEcmH

MA corrections officer arraigned on child rape, human trafficking charges

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2026/04/27/suffolk-county-corrections-officer-arraigned-on-child-rape-human-trafficking-charges/

MA police department has been trying to fire a detective since 2018. He’s still getting paid

https://archive.ph/j1BfL

PA school security chief and a cop arrested on child porn charges

https://6abc.com/post/former-bristol-twp-school-security-chief-police-officer-arrested-child-porn-charges/18960517/

Two CT cops fired after sexual relationship with teen

https://archive.ph/kGaDb

AR cop arrested for sexual assault of a juvenile

https://dps.arkansas.gov/news/former-swifton-police-officer-arrested-for-sexual-assault/

AR cop arrested and fired for sexual assault of a woman

https://katv.com/news/local/de-queen-police-officer-fired-and-arrested-following-sexual-assault-investigation

IL cop arrested for sexually abusing a woman during a traffic stop

https://abc7chicago.com/post/park-city-officer-charged-sexual-assault-duty-illinois-state-police/19006333/

FL cop arrested for killing a 6-year-old while driving over 100 MPH with not safety lights or siren

https://www.fox13news.com/news/temple-terrace-police-officer-arrested-following-deadly-crash-ttpd

GA cop on leave after Walmart body slamming man who’s arms were behind his back

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/lovejoy-police-officer-place-leave-following-walmart-incident

LA cop on leave for domestic abuse

https://www.knoe.com/2026/04/28/mpd-officer-arrested-placed-administrative-leave/

TX cop arrested for assaulting a woman

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/04/29/san-antonio-park-police-officer-arrested-after-assaulting-woman-bcso-says/

IL cop arrested for DUI

https://www.mystateline.com/news/rockford-police-officer-arrested-and-charged-for-dui-authorities-say/

Purdue Pharma fined $5.5 billion for opioid scandal

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/purdue-pharma-be-sentenced-paving-way-opioid-settlement-2026-04-28/

https://windycitytimes.com/2026/04/24/trump-has-to-pay-out-of-his-pocket-for-january-6/

Bernie Sanders Blasts Trump Family’s ‘Unprecedented Kleptocracy’

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/articles/bernie-sanders-blasts-trump-familys-013122722.html

Trump Administration Stake In Intel Is Worth $36 Billion

https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-stock-price-rally-us-government-investment-stake-value-trump-2026-4

Trump ‘blocked from accessing nuclear codes’ by general

https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/cia-analyst-claims-trump-tried-37047343

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/general-reportedly-blocked-trump-from-using-nuclear-codes/gm-GMLEFEF1A2

Trump orders U.S. military to ‘shoot and kill’ Iranian boats mining Strait of Hormuz

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/live-updates-trump-iran-hormuz-blockade-ceasefire-talks-lebanon-israel-rcna341571

Iranian Group Submits Evidence of US-Israeli War Crimes to International Criminal Court

https://www.commondreams.org/news/iran-us-war-crimes

Republican Senate Rejects Democratic Bid to End Iran Conflict for 5th Time

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-trump-war-powers-iran/

Trump Labels Female Reporter a ‘Disgrace’ For Asking About When The Iran War Will End

https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-labels-female-reporter-disgrace-234500522.html

Drop Site News

Rare Survivors of Pacific Boat Strikes Allege U.S. Forces Kidnapped and Tortured Them

The extraordinary story you’re about to read, by Camila Lourdes Galarza, is a dark look into what it’s like to live and die on the other side of U.S. headlines. As we expand deeper into reporting on South and Central America, particularly with the hiring of our Latin America bureau chief José Luis Granados Ceja, this is the kind of journalism we hope to…

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13 days ago · 907 likes · 19 comments · Camila Lourdes Galarza

Ken Klippenstein

U.S. Spies on the Vatican

When Trump declared Pope Leo “terrible for foreign policy,” the U.S. intelligence community took the president’s remarks as a directive to prioritize spying on the Vatican…

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11 days ago · 457 likes · 19 comments · Ken Klippenstein

Trump invited Russia’s Putin to G20 summit in Miami

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-invite-russias-putin-g20-summit-miami-wapo-reports-2026-04-23/

Trump weighs consequences for NATO allies on ‘naughty’ list

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/22/trump-nato-allies-consequences-list-00883619

Pentagon considers suspending Spain from NATO for not supporting Trump’s war with Iran

https://www.reuters.com/world/pentagon-email-floats-suspending-spain-nato-other-steps-over-iran-rift-source-2026-04-24/

No legal path to suspend Spain from NATO, officials say

https://www.euractiv.com/news/no-legal-path-to-suspend-spain-from-nato-officials-say-as-washington-reportedly-weighs-options/

Cuba confirms meeting with Trump officials, wants energy blockade lifted

https://apnews.com/article/cuba-us-talks-energy-blockade-meeting-bfdd1c4cc35f7c280b790cb500ae0d0c

Trump Invokes Wartime Law to Fulfill ‘Wish List for Oil, Gas, and Coal Industries’
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/trump-invokes-defense-production-act-to-boost-oil-coal-and-energy-infrastructure/

Parents of Iranian Kids Killed by US School Bombing Thank Pope Leo for Speaking Out Against War

https://www.commondreams.org/news/families-children-minab-school-bombing

Trump Administration Is Using Christianity to Justify Murder and Empire

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-administration-is-using-christianity-to-justify-murder-and-empire/

Trump’s Space Force CSO debuts vision for force through 2041

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4461061/cso-debuts-future-operating-environment-objective-force-at-41st-space-symposium/

Trump’s DOJ Is Pushing For More Denaturalizations

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/justice-dept-citizens-denaturalization.html

Human Rights Groups Issue Stark Warning To World Cup Travelers Heading To U.S.

https://www.aclu.org/news/human-rights/aclu-joins-coalition-calling-for-fifa-to-uphold-human-rights-ahead-2026-world-cup

Republicans Introduce A National Citizen-Only Voting Amendment

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/786101-laurel-lee-introduces-constitutional-amendment-requiring-citizenship-to-vote/

https://laurellee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-laurel-lee-introduces-constitutional-amendment-ensure-only-us-citizens

This is how Democrats say Oversight Republicans are trying to quash the Epstein investigation

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/21/congress-epstein-oversight-subpoenas-00882501

Republican House Oversight Committee Ditches Hearings To Dodge Epstein Subpoena Votes

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/epstein-files-house-oversight-committee-pam-bondi_n_69e79cdbe4b0ff46b411885e?origin=home-zone-d-unit

Trump Hates Women He Can’t Control: Marjorie Taylor Greene
https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-says-trump-hates-women-after-megyn-kelly-candace-owens-attacks/

Republican House Oversight Committee ‘Split’ Over Whether Trump Should Pardon Ghislaine Maxwell

How long before Trump issues Jeffery Epstein a pardon posthumously?

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/22/congress/to-pardon-maxwell-or-not-00887823

Will Trump pardon Ghislaine Maxwell? It’s looking more likely

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-pardon-ghislaine-maxwell-11873579

Corrupt DOJ reaches $1.25M settlement with Trump 2016 campaign aide over Russia probe

https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-russia-carter-page-settlement-0987c7480edfbce72ba5954ca057836f

Senate Republicans unveil road map for 3 years of immigration crackdown

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/senate-republicans-immigration-dhs-shutdown-ice.html

Senate Republicans Blasted for Trying to Give Trump’s ICE and Border Patrol Another $140 Billion

https://www.commondreams.org/news/senate-republicans-budget-bill

Trump Considers Bailing Out His Family’s Major Business Partner, Khaled Mohamed from the UAE

“President Trump and his family have extensive business ties with the UAE. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, took in about $200 million from the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund for his investment firm, Affinity Partners, in 2023. The next year, Kushner’s firm secured $1.5 billion from Abu Dhabi-based firm Lunate and Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. Last year, the UAE invested $2 billion into World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency venture run by Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr. Trump happened to lift export restrictions on computer chips at the same time. The Trump Organization is also building a luxury hotel in Dubai.”

https://newrepublic.com/post/209273/trump-considers-bailing-out-uae

Trump Considering Currency Swap With UAE

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/trump-iran-war-white-house-uae-currency-swap-line.html

Trump’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Exposed on ‘Sugar Daddy’ Site

https://www.thedailybeast.com/top-donald-trump-terror-official-julia-varvaro-exposed-on-sugar-daddy-site/

Top Trump Countererrorism Official Suspended Over Sugar Baby Allegations

https://www.thedailybeast.com/top-trump-terror-official-julia-varvaro-suspended-for-sugar-baby-allegations/

Another Trump official, Lori Chavez-DeRemer exits in scandal

https://archive.ph/Dbtmw

Meet Paolo Zampolli, the Man at the Center of Trump’s Biggest Scandals

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/meet-paolo-zampolli-trump-world-cup-ice-epstein/

Florida’s new redistricting map likely to touch off lawsuits

https://kfor.com/hill-politics/jeffries-warns-florida-gop-that-new-map-will-backfire-f-around-and-find-out/

Governor DeSantis “begging” Trump for prime role in administration

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/21/desantis-trump-administration-attorney-general

Trump has lowest 100-day approval rating in 80 years

https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-lowest-100-day-approval-rating-80-years/story?id=121165473

Lawsuit plaintiff arrested by ICE; Attorneys alleging ‘Shocking act of retaliation’

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-17/california-plaintiff-in-lawsuit-challenging-immigration-raids-arrested-by-ice

EFF Sues DHS and ICE For Records on Subpoenas Seeking to Unmask Online Critics

https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-sues-dhs-and-ice-records-subpoenas-seeking-unmask-online-critics-0

https://reason.com/2026/04/24/civil-liberties-groups-sue-for-information-on-ices-speech-chilling-subpoenas/

Trump Administration Used Jawboning to Censor ICE Transparency Initiatives

https://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2026/04/the-federal-government-used-jawboning-to-censor-ice-transparency-initiatives-rosado-v-bondi.htm

ICE agent charged with assault after grabbing the hair of female protester and putting her in a chokehold

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/ice-agent-arrest-durango-assault-charge/

ICE arrested family less than two days after court ordered their release

https://www.reuters.com/world/ice-detains-family-less-than-two-days-after-court-ordered-their-release-lawyers-2026-04-26/

ICE arrested over 70 Minnesota children during Operation Metro Surge

https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/ice-detention-data-minnesota-children-operation-metro-surge/

Twin Cities mom and daughter recount 55-day ordeal in Texas immigration center

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/columbia-heights-minnesota-mother-daughter-texas-immigration-detainment/

VT prosecutor declines to charge six protesters arrested at South Burlington ICE raid

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/22/chittenden-county-prosecutor-declines-to-charge-six-protesters-arrested-at-south-burlington-ice-raid/

3 Anti-ICE protesters face trial after judge refuses to dismiss case

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_c42c5365-3a95-4052-92b2-6ef260d7eeae.html

Denver must pay George Floyd protesters $14 million, Appeals Court rules

The appeals court on Tuesday also upheld a related ruling that Denver police Officer Jonathan Christian used excessive force against former state Rep. Elisabeth Epps when he shot her with a pepper ball while she was crossing the street during the 2020 protests. Christian initially was ordered to pay Epps $250,000 in punitive damages, but the judge later reduced that amount to $50,000.

https://www.denverpost.com/2026/04/21/denver-george-floyd-protester-lawsuit/

MA Police Cooperation With ICE is Common: Report

“Citizens for Juvenile Justice findings also showed police departments are communicating with ICE in the field and sharing fingerprint data that isn’t mandated. The report even documents an example of police violating a state Supreme Judicial Court ruling by holding an immigrant for an extended period of time to contact ICE.”

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-04-27/cooperation-with-ice-common-among-mass-law-enforcement-new-report-finds

New Mexico Becomes the Latest State to End Cooperation With ICE

https://truthout.org/articles/new-mexico-becomes-the-latest-state-to-end-cooperation-with-ice-under-new-law/

Appeals court blocks California law requiring ICE agents show visible ID

Appeals Court rubber-stamps secret police in America.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-appeals-court-blocks-california-law-requiring-federal-agents-w-rcna341510

Houston Irks Gov. Abbott by Reminding Cops To Comply With the Fourth Amendment

https://reason.com/2026/04/22/houston-irks-texas-gov-greg-abbott-by-reminding-cops-to-comply-with-the-fourth-amendment/

ACLU California Defends Court Order Barring Border Patrol’s Unlawful Stop-and-Arrest Practices

“We don’t have to speculate about what would happen if the court order were overturned because we’ve seen the lawlessness and chaos Border Patrol has inflicted upon Kern County, Los Angeles, and cities across the country,” said Bree Bernwanger, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California.

https://www.aclunorcal.org/press-releases/aclu-defends-court-order-barring-border-patrols-unlawful-stop-and-arrest-practices/

Appeals Court Allows Texas Cops to Arrest Immigrants

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/24/texas-immigration-law-sb-4-5th-circuit-court-of-appeals-ruling/

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Can Continue Operating, Appeals Court Says

https://www.courthousenews.com/11th-circuit-says-alligator-alcatraz-to-remain-open/

ME officials vote to remove ICE from Cumberland County jail contract with feds

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/22/cumberland-county-officials-vote-to-remove-ice-from-jail-contract-with-feds/

DHS requests $7.5M to develop ICE facial recognition ‘smart glasses’

https://www.courthousenews.com/dhs-startles-congress-with-request-for-millions-to-develop-ice-smart-glasses/

ICE’s Facial Recognition Smart Glasses Are a Worst-Case Scenario
https://gizmodo.com/ices-smart-glasses-are-a-worst-case-scenario-2000749003

ICE Is on a $45 Billion Building Spree. Can Small Towns Support These New Immigration Detention Centers?

https://reason.com/2026/04/21/ice-is-on-a-45-billion-building-spree-can-small-towns-support-these-new-migrant-warehouses/

She raised concerns about Thomson Reuter’s contracts with ICE. Then they fired her after 20 years

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/21/nx-s1-5786915/ice-immigration-enforcement-data-thomson-reuters

Man thrown in Israeli prison at 15, is now imprisoned by ICE in Milwaukee

https://archive.is/7PwC5

ICE accepting bids for 100 parking spaces in NYC

https://archive.ph/dMkRz

Hundreds Protest Against Citizens Bank Over Ties to ICE Prison Partners

https://truthout.org/articles/hundreds-protest-against-citizens-bank-over-ties-to-ice-prison-partners/

Asylum-seekers could lose right to work under proposed Trump administration rules

https://stateline.org/2026/04/23/asylum-seekers-could-lose-right-to-work-under-proposed-trump-administration-rules/

Homeland Security’s New Task Force Website Sanitizes Trump’s Deportation Agenda

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/homeland-security-task-force-new-website-sanitizes-trump-deportations-ai-big-balls/

Senator rips election-denying lawyer protecting Trump: ‘You assert privilege willy-nilly’

https://www.rawstory.com/whitehouse-clark-2020-election-letter/

Trump DOJ sought death penalty for Luigi Mangione but not white supremacist behind 2019 Texas Walmart shooting

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/luigi-mangione-death-penalty

DOJ Settles Surveillance Abuse Lawsuit With Former Trump Campaign Adviser Carter Page

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/22/politics/trump-administration-settles-lawsuit-with-ex-trump-adviser-carter-page

Trump’s DOJ quietly withdraws subpoenas in John Brennan investigation

https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-cia-brennan-investigation-russia-trump-e6f29e0e084c72bb54de74466b3d4c5d

Trump’s DOJ drops probe into Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, to secure Warsh nomination
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxd1v0028vo

Republican Thom Tillis confirms block of Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh until DOJ drops investigation into Powell

https://katv.com/news/nation-world/senator-thom-tillis-confirms-block-of-federal-reserve-chair-nominee-kevin-warsh-jerome-powell-justice-department-investigation

Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh won’t say Trump lost 2020 election

https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/minority/at-hearing-kevin-warsh-refuses-to-say-trump-lost-the-2020-election-fails-to-answer-questions-on-undisclosed-100-million-wealth

In Dead of Night, GOP Sets Vote on Trump Federal Reserve Pick Kevin Warsh

https://www.commondreams.org/news/kevin-warsh-confirmation-vote

Sen. Tillis drops blockade of Trump’s Fed chair nominee, clearing path for Warsh’s confirmation

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcna342163

DOJ CORRUPTION: Trump calls for 2020 presidential election to be ‘permanently wiped from the books’ if Southern Poverty Law Center convicted of fraud

https://nypost.com/2026/04/24/us-news/trump-calls-for-2020-presidential-election-to-be-permanently-wiped-from-the-books-if-southern-poverty-law-center-convicted-of-fraud/

DOJ Opens Criminal Probe Of The Southern Poverty Law Center

https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/southern-poverty-law-center-says-it-faces-doj-criminal-probe-over-paid-informants-president-donald-trump-department-of-justice-kash-patel-fbi-todd-blanche-montgomery-alabama-republicans-gop-splc-ceo-bryan-fair-investigation

DOJ CORRUPTION: Southern Poverty Law Center indicted, claims extremist funding

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/04/21/doj-accuses-civil-rights-group-of-funding-kkk-other-extremist-groups/89723041007/

DEFIANCE.News

In Trump's America, fighting back against the KKK is now basically an act of "terrorism."

The Trump administration just fired the opening shot in its war against left-leaning nonprofit groups, wielding the criminal justice system as a weapon against a civil rights organization whose only crime was apparently infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan (KKK…

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12 days ago · 666 likes · 48 comments · Miles Taylor

‘Craven Attempt to Silence Dissent’: Trump DOJ Slammed for Indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center

https://www.commondreams.org/news/craven-attempt-to-silence-dissent-trump-doj-slammed-for-indictment-of-anti-hate-group

Civil rights groups condemn Southern Poverty Law Center’s indictment and prepare for legal fights

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/civil-rights-groups-condemn-southern-180521906.html

Musk’s racist posts about Whiteness have tripled

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/04/24/musk-online-posts-race-whiteness/

The Short, Ridiculous Trial of a No-Kings Protestor Arrested in an Inflatable Penis Costume

https://archive.ph/uzZYT

Lawmakers question if JetBlue is using customer’s personal data to set ticket prices
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/lawmakers-question-if-jetblue-is-using-personal-data-set-ticket-prices-2026-04-21/

DISGUSTED: D.C. Appeals Court Upholds the Constitutionality of Secret No-Fly List

https://papersplease.org/wp/2026/04/21/d-c-circuit-court-of-appeals-keeps-u-s-citizen-on-no-fly-list/

Republican Introduces Bill To Mandate Biometric Border Scanning (Facial/Iris Scans And Fingerprints)

The “Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act” is the 23rd piece of legislation proposed by Congressman Donalds during the 119th Congress. This bill mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report to Congress on the system’s implementation. This requirement aims to identify hurdles causing delays, close security gaps, track visa overstays more accurately, and ensure full border security.

https://donalds.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2620

CyberLink and Asteria Streamline Real-Time Facial Recognition Watchlists

“Powered by FaceMe’s AI, the solution delivers fast and reliable identification — even while individuals are in motion — balancing security, speed, and accuracy. Organizations can build no-code workflows that automatically translate facial recognition events into operational actions, such as triggering security alerts for watchlist individuals, notifying staff of VIP arrivals, logging access events, or feeding real-time insights into analytics dashboards — without human intervention.”

https://www.cyberlink.com/eng/press_room/view_5242.html

Wicket and Pacilion work together to put facial recognition in college sports stadiums

https://www.paciolan.com/post/wicket-partners-with-paciolan-to-accelerate-entry-into-college-sports-events

Revolution MD Receives Facial Recognition Inhaler Patent

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revolution-md-secures-united-states-patent-for-ai-powered-controlled-substance-oversight-system-302745340.html

Facial recognition company Clarifai says it deleted OKCupid user photos, data after FTC scrutiny

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/ai-company-deleted-okcupid-user-photos-data-after-ftc-scrutiny-2026-04-20/

Why using facial recognition to unlock your phone could be risking your data

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/why-using-face-unlock-on-a-phone-could-be-risking-your-data-az8fe2G7uX8n

Knightscope and Carnegie Mellon University to create next-generation facial recognition/license plate reading robots

https://ir.knightscope.com/news-events/press-releases

US may force operating systems to have mandatory age verification, share info with third parties

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/us-may-force-operating-systems-to-have-mandatory-age-verification-share-info-with-third-parties/

A New Age-Verification Bill Could Make You Show ID To Use a Computer or Smartphone

https://reason.com/2026/04/22/a-new-age-verification-bill-could-make-you-show-id-to-use-a-computer-or-smartphone/

IL Children’s Social Media Safety Act Would Force Operating Systems To Check Your Age

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/04/16/state-lawmakers-advance-bill-requiring-age-verification-on-all-online-devices-and-websites/

FBI Finally Admits It Investigated Cato Institute Since at Least 2019—Is It Still?

“In the more than five years since, the Bureau has fought disclosure of records on Cato at every opportunity—but thanks to some key court rulings made possible by great FOIA litigation work by Loevy and Loevy of Chicago, the Bureau has released nearly 1,000 pages of previously “nonexistent” records on the Cato Institute. “

https://www.cato.org/blog/fbi-finally-admits-they-investigated-cato-are-they-still

The FBI’s Investigation of a Reporter for ‘Stalking’ Breaks New Ground in Criminalizing Journalism

https://reason.com/2026/04/23/the-fbis-alleged-probe-of-a-reporter-for-stalking-breaks-new-ground-in-criminalizing-journalism/

FBI Director Kash Patel Files $250M Defamation Lawsuit Against The Atlantic

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/media/kash-patel-fbi-atlantic-lawsuit-sarah-fitzpatrick

AI is making it very easy for the government to spy on you (Section 702)

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/rcna341499

House GOP Leaders Unveil New Section 702 Spy Powers Plan

https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/house-gop-leaders-unveil-new-spy-powers-plan-seek-party-unity

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/24/nx-s1-5797964/after-2-failed-votes-mike-johnson-unveils-new-plan-to-extend-key-u-s-spy-powers

The Latest Push to Extend Key US Spy Powers Is Still a Mess

However, the reforms are largely cosmetic, recreating oversight functions that the administration has already dismantled elsewhere and leaving the FBI’s core authority to search Americans’ communications without a warrant untouched. A senior Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations referred to the section as a “legislative scam,” telling WIRED: “There are many members who don’t quite understand the ins and outs of this law. Tossing the phrase ‘Fourth Amendment requirement’ into the bill is the speaker and the intelligence community working to dupe them into supporting a bill that has no meaningful constitutional safeguards.”

https://archive.ph/PeiQv

Republicans’ Fourth Amendment Section 702 double standard

“A lot of people are being hypocritical around here,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick told HuffPost. Fitzpatrick is a moderate who opposes adding judicial warrant requirements to Section 702 and has pushed for bipartisan compromises in both debates. “When we know that Donald Trump is going to abuse any powers given to him, it is not going to age well for any Democrats to support giving Donald Trump powers with FISA without very strong legal protections,” Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republicans-fisa-warrants-dhs-4th-amendment_n_69ebaf10e4b08330e41c2ec3

Trump administration sued violating FOIA by refusing to release documents about Palantir

https://americanoversight.org/palantir-data-collection-tools-foia/

Why Palantir’s ImmigrationOS Endangers Democracy and the Rule of Law

https://www.techpolicy.press/why-palantirs-immigrationos-endangers-democracy-and-the-rule-of-law/

30 Lawmakers Demand Answers on ICE Use of Palantir-Developed Technologies to Fuel Mass Surveillance

https://goldman.house.gov/media/press-releases/goldman-wyden-velazquez-demand-answers-ice-use-palantir-developed-technologies

Palantir Is Helping Trump’s IRS Conduct “Massive-Scale” Data Mining

https://archive.ph/RHF5m

Palantir posts mini-manifesto denouncing inclusivity and ‘regressive’ cultures

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/19/palantir-posts-mini-manifesto-denouncing-regressive-and-harmful-cultures/

https://gizmodo.com/palantir-posts-very-long-x-post-denouncing-vacant-and-hollow-pluralism-2000748318

‘One of The Scariest Things I Have Seen’: Alarms Sound Over ‘Technofascist’ Palantir Manifesto

https://www.commondreams.org/news/palantir-technofascist-manifesto-criticism

Palantir Has a Human Rights Policy. Its ICE Work Tells a Different Story

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/palantir-has-human-rights-policy-its-ice-work-tells-different-story

Palantir Debuts Chic Chore Coat So the World Knows You’re One of the Baddies

“We want millions of people wearing Palantir merch around the world.”

https://gizmodo.com/palantir-debuts-chic-chore-coat-so-the-world-knows-youre-one-of-the-baddies-2000750606

It Is Time to Ban the Sale of Precise Geolocation (Webloc)

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/it-is-time-to-ban-the-sale-of-precise-geolocation

The Supreme Court will decide when police can use geolocation to track your phone without a warrant

https://archive.ph/DQiGt
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/26/g-s1-118359/supreme-court-geofencing-explainer-video

NH attorneys call Concord police department’s warrantless cellphone ping a ‘constitutional violation’

https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/21/concord-police-clegg-arrest/

https://indepthnh.org/2026/04/21/state-tries-to-justify-illegal-searches-in-clegg-double-murder-case/

DHS, ICE and the CIA ramp up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices

https://theconversation.com/us-government-ramps-up-mass-surveillance-with-help-of-ai-tech-data-brokers-and-your-apps-and-devices-277440

BIG BROTHER WARNING: PA state police purchase NSA-funded portable radio tower by Motorola

This is NSA surveillance masquerading as benign law enforcement radio tower communications.

https://pennwatch.org/psp-utilizing-mobile-radio-tower-to-strengthen-communications-and-safety-during-2026-nfl-draft-in-pittsburgh/
What is Motorola Solutions LMR?

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/solutions/what-is-lmr.html

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/docs/astro-25/project_25_and_interoperability_in_land_mobile_radio_white_paper_global_.pdf

Project 25 Interest Group and the NSA

https://www.project25.org/

https://www.project25.org/images/stories/ptig/P25_Benefits_Today_and_for_the_Future_2025_251009.pdf

Florida police used Flock cameras to track No-Kings protesters

“Dozens of police departments, sheriff’s offices and campus police have searched thousands of surveillance networks around the country using automated license plate reader cameras made by the private company Flock Safety. The cameras record everything from tag numbers to bumper stickers to car colors.”

https://archive.ph/yi0om

Activists swarm Flock HQ in Atlanta with massive “Flock Out” banner and signs

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2026-04-17-activists-swarm-flock-hq-in-atlanta-with-massive-flock-out-banner-and-signs/

Schmidt v. City of Norfolk Brief: Flock License Plate Readers Commit Fourth Amendment Searches

https://www.cato.org/blog/schmidt-v-city-norfolk-brief-automated-license-plate-readers-commit-fourth-amendment-searches

EPIC files amicus brief arguing city of Norfolk’s use of Flock ALPRs violated Fourth Amendment

https://epic.org/documents/schmidt-v-norfolk/

FAA Scraps Civil and Criminal Penalties for Flying Drones Near ICE Vehicles

https://archive.ph/mbM7w

Spokane police to use 4 surveillance drones to spy on World Cup fans

“Councilwoman Sarah Dixit was the sole vote against, saying she was uncomfortable with drone use to surveil protests.”

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/20/spokane-police-to-receive-barriers-and-ai-powered-/

Collier County Real-Time Centers uses surveillance drones as first responders

https://dronelife.com/2026/04/20/real-time-crime-center-drones-police-response/

New Haven’s Real-Time Crime Center uses Hundreds of CCTV and License Plate Readers to Spy on Residents

https://yaledailynews.com/articles/police-cameras-keep-eyes-on-new-haven-will-city-scrutinize-them-back

Fairfield police showcase Flock Safety surveillance drones

https://www.ktvu.com/news/fairfield-police-showcase-drone-program-ties-flock-safety

Future Of Police Surveillance: Ouachita Parish Real-Time Crime Center And Surveillance Drones

“It’s so different seeing everything from overhead,” Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Larry Knight explained.

https://dronelife.com/2026/04/21/inside-a-real-time-crime-center-where-drones-shape-the-response/

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/images/customer-stories/customer-stories-documents/OuachitaParish_casestudy.pdf

Aurburn police purchase 4 surveillance drones as first responder

https://opelikaobserver.com/2026/04/21/auburn-council-approves-nearly-1-million-dronetechnology-contract/

Conroe police use Axon surveillance drones as first responder

https://archive.ph/J8hb9

Florence police purchase 3 surveillance drones as first responder

https://www.wrdw.com/2026/04/21/sc-police-department-implements-drone-first-responder-program/

Bettendorf police use 2 surveillance drones as first responder

https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/public-safety/bettendorf-police-drone-first-responders/526-fa360349-1f59-4d40-8723-252a3d98acd2

St. Charles County police want to use surveillance drones as first responder

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/st-charles-police-eye-drones-for-quicker-emergency-response/

Police Propaganda: Springs is getting safer — with police drones

https://gazette.com/2026/04/23/editorial-springs-is-getting-safer-with-an-assist-from-drones/

BRINC Unveils New Police Surveillance “Guardian” Drone

https://brincdrones.com/news/brinc-unveils-guardian-launching-the-next-era-of-drone-as-first-responder/

BRINC Announces New Seattle Factory and Launch of Next-Generation 911 Surveillance Drone

https://brincdrones.com/news/brinc-announces-new-seattle-factory-and-launch-of-next-generation-911-response-drone/

Brinc and AirData work together to expand surveillance drones as first responder

https://airdata.com/blog/2026/brinc-integration

Motorola Solutions (Drone Surveillance) Summit 2026

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/blog/summit-2026-cybersecurity-sessions

Motorola Solutions wants surveillance drones in EVERY police car

https://dronelife.com/2026/04/21/drones-public-safety-ecosystem-motorola-summit-2026/

Inside Ukraine’s robot war revolution

“For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned platforms — ground systems and drones,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

https://www.politico.eu/article/inside-ukraine-robot-war-revolution/

Police Violence

California corrections officer charged with smuggling 20 kilos of cocaine

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-17/california-prison-guard-cocaine-smuggling-charges

Trump’s DOJ wants to shorten appeals process for people sentenced to death and add firing squads, electrocution and gas asphyxiation

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-executions-electric-chair-firing-squads_n_69ebb001e4b08330e41c352f

DOJ announces it’s readopting the firing squad as a means of execution

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/justice-department-readopting-firing-squad-execution

The Senate Is ‘Prepared’ To Confirm A Supreme Court Justice — And Ted Cruz Might Be The Pick
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/04/the-senate-is-prepared-to-confirm-a-supreme-court-justice-and-ted-cruz-might-be-the-pick/

Supreme Court Justices disagree of what constitutes ‘reasonable suspicion and violations of the Fourth Amendment

https://www.courthousenews.com/justices-back-dc-cop-in-reasonable-suspicion-rift/

Does A Shadow Docket Ruling Create “Clearly Established” Law For Purposes of Qualified Immunity
https://reason.com/volokh/2026/04/21/does-a-shadow-docket-ruling-create-clearly-established-law-for-purposes-of-qualified-immunity/

YAWN: Civil Rights Advocates Demand an End to Qualified Immunity in New York

https://naacpldf.org/press-release/civil-rights-advocates-demand-an-end-to-qualified-immunity-in-new-york/

The Secret Memos That Remade the Supreme Court (Shadow Dockets)

“Rulings with no explanation or reasoning, like the sparse paragraph from that February night, have become routine. The emergency docket is now a central legacy of the court led by Chief Justice Roberts. These days, justices who disagree with emergency orders often protest in vigorous written dissents. In 2016, the four liberal justices merely noted they had voted against the order. Although their private memos included extended arguments against the majority’s approach, they said nothing more in public.”

https://archive.ph/K9ogt

The Supreme Court’s ‘Shadow Docket’ Has Sprung a Leak

https://reason.com/2026/04/21/the-supreme-courts-shadow-docket-has-sprung-a-leak/

The U.S. Judicial Conference Withdraws Disastrous Donor Privacy Rule Change for Amicus Filers

https://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/us-courts-withdraw-disastrous-donor-privacy-rule-change-for-amicus-filers

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/judicial-panel-trims-amicus-rule-change-after-privacy-worries

Trump’s DOJ has cut 4 thousand law-enforcement jobs while vowing to get tough on crime

https://www.reuters.com/world/trumps-doj-has-cut-thousands-law-enforcement-jobs-while-vowing-get-tough-crime-2026-04-23/

Access to Justice in the Age of AI: Evidence from U.S. Federal Courts

https://avshah1.github.io/assets/pdf/papers/pro-se/Pro_Se_Automation.pdf

DISGUSTED: TX judge who handcuffed an attorney in court avoids charges by resigning

https://www.ksat.com/news/ksat-investigates/2026/04/20/judge-rosie-speedlin-gonzalez-resigns-in-deal-to-dismiss-criminal-charges/

DISGUSTED: TX judge who had mom arrested over child missing school is reprimanded

https://thehawkseyecn.net/news/the-lone-star-review-state/wilson-county-jp-reprimanded-after-truancy-case-ends-in-jail-time/

‘Innocent people will be convicted’: Alameda County public defenders plan protest over staffing shortfall
https://archive.ph/J9lzx

DA files motion to dismiss murder charges against man convicted in 1991 pipe bombings over junk science

In 2023, James Genrich successfully appealed part of the case, granting him a retrial, with a judge ruling that evidence presented in 1993 trial was “scientifically unreliable” and would not be admissible in a new trial, according to the motion to dismiss. In 1993, a toolmark expert had testified that marks on the bomb fragments matched Genrich’s tools “to the exclusion of any other tool.”

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/mesa-county-da-files-motion-to-dismiss-murder-charges-against-man-convicted-in-1991-pipe-bombings

Appeals Court ruled cops can’t arrest people based on junk science (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus)

https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OpinionsPDFVersion/Majority%20Opinion%20-%20M2025-00357-CCA-R3-CD.pdf

CO judge vacates murder conviction for Innocet Black man imprisoned 27 years for 4-month-old’s death

https://www.courthousenews.com/denver-judge-vacates-murder-conviction-for-man-imprisoned-27-years-for-4-month-olds-death/

How North Carolina State Troopers Kept the Truth About Shooting an Unarmed Black Man Hidden

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/22/north-carolina-trooper-shooting

Prosecutors used rap lyrics to help send a Black man to death row in Texas. It’s not an uncommon tactic

https://apnews.com/article/rap-lyrics-trial-evidence-broadnax-ea77d963643b947902dd613b94ef003b

BIG BROTHER WARNING: Maryland Police to Force Speeders to Install Government Speed Limiters in Their Cars

The “Intelligent Speed Assistance System” device can be adjusted to allow you a couple miles per hour over the limit, similar to how police might give you a couple miles per hour grace on the roads. “For example, I was driving this car. I was driving it on a road, I think was the speed limit was 35 mph,” Allen said. “Even though I put the pedal all the way down to the floor, it would not go above 39 mph. It’s actually quite uncanny how good the technology works.”

https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/maryland-lawmakers-pass-stop-super-speeders-bill-awaits-governor-wes-moore-signature-mva

https://wtop.com/maryland/2026/04/theyre-the-worst-drivers-in-md-but-new-tech-might-slow-them-down/

The “Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program” Was Meant To Limit NYC Government Vehicles From Going Over Speed Limits

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/news/021-25/city-new-york-implement-largest-intelligent-speed-assistance-program-the-world

Mandatory driver impairment sensors clear a funding hurdle, but are they ready?

https://apnews.com/article/federal-law-impairment-detection-car-dui-062d40e885a0e32c6cad0ba70163aef8

Federal Surveillance Tech Becomes Mandatory in New Cars by 2027

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/federal-surveillance-tech-becomes-mandatory-161321992.html

NYPD cop racked up more than 500 speeding tickets since 2022
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/04/23/to-protect-and-swerve-nypd-cop-has-527-speeding-tickets-yet-remains-on-the-force

Homestead, FL cop caught racing sports car while in patrol car

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/04/24/homestead-police-investigate-video-of-officer-allegedly-racing-driver/

Police Stop Over 20 Million Motorists Every Year

https://www.aclu.org/documents/safe-roads-for-all

https://openpolicing.stanford.edu/findings/

Why 20 Million Police Traffic Stops Are Dangerous and Ineffective

https://www.aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/why-police-traffic-stops-are-dangerous-and-ineffective

SHAMELESS NYPD union accuses the Civilian Complaint Review Board of ‘stigmatizing’ cops accused of misconduct

https://nypost.com/2026/04/22/us-news/nyc-ccrb-pushing-out-stigmatizing-claims-against-nypd-cops-that-ruin-their-careers-even-if-unproven-lawsuit/

Madison police watchdog mishandled sensitive data of victims’ names, addresses and case details

https://archive.ph/AR7LW

Madison’s police oversight faces fresh pressure after AI racial discrimination slip

https://captimes.com/news/government/madison-s-police-oversight-faces-fresh-pressure-after-ai-slip/article_52a5162e-2ac2-4193-b6cc-147a6601453a.html

Vermont police stop Black and Latino drivers at twice the rate of white drivers

“The latest report, published this month by University of Vermont economist Stephanie Seguino and two co-authors, found that while Vermont officers are making fewer stops and conducting fewer searches than their 2017 peak, the race of the driver continues to shape who gets pulled over and whose vehicle gets searched.”

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/22/racial-disparities-in-vermont-traffic-stops-resurge-after-covid-era-dip-study-finds/

Schools are supposed to limit using restraint and seclusion to discipline kids but that’s not happening

https://theconversation.com/schools-are-supposed-to-limit-using-restraint-and-seclusion-to-discipline-kids-but-parents-i-spoke-with-say-the-practice-is-wildly-misused-279920

MO police chief who pleaded guilty to stealing $300K in public funds sentenced to 2 years in jail

https://fox2now.com/news/fox-files/former-police-chief-heads-to-prison-after-250k-scandal/

VT sheriff charged with nine sexual assault felonies spent tens of thousands on Amazon, food, hotels and flowers

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/23/bank-statements-detail-sheriffs-office-spending-under-palmer/

Appeals Court upholds $33M verdict against Oklahoma sheriff over death of pretrial detainee

“26-year-old Terral Ellis died from sepsis due to untreated pneumonia while in prison.”

https://www.courthousenews.com/10th-circuit-affirms-33-million-award-against-oklahoma-sheriff-over-death-of-pretrial-detainee/

Videos Reveal ‘Absolutely Egregious Care’ in 2025 Cuyahoga County Jail Death

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/14/cuyahoga-jail-death-wade-ohio

Sister of Jason Rothe files wrongful death lawsuit against NH correction officers

https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/20/jason-rothe-estate-sues-state/

FL cop faces new charges of inappropriate conduct with 2nd student

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/04/23/former-sanford-officer-faces-new-charges-after-accusation-of-inappropriate-conduct-with-2nd-student/?

MA cop suspended for threatening his wife with his service gun

“According to the Millbury police report, Shrewsbury police officer Shawn Valliere, is accused of abusing alcohol, using cocaine, pointing a gun at his wife, and later putting a gun in his mouth and asking his wife to pull the trigger.”

https://www.wcvb.com/article/shrewsbury-police-officer-placed-on-leave-shawn-valliere/71111620

Former NC cop arrested over threat to kill Black people in New Orleans

https://6abc.com/post/former-chapel-hill-north-carolina-police-officer-christopher-gillum-accused-threatening-mass-shooting-new-orleans/18951739/

NC cop arrested for rape, kidnapping, and burglary

https://www.wral.com/news/local/benson-peter-alphonso-blake-arrest-april-2026/

NC cop suspended for 2 days for body slamming female student to the pavement

https://www.wbtv.com/2026/04/22/officer-suspended-2-days-after-video-shows-west-charlotte-student-body-slammed-amid-fight/

TX cop relieved of duty over viral racist social media rant

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/04/21/extremely-disturbed-houston-police-department-officer-relieved-of-duty-after-racist-rant-goes-viral-on-social-media/

NYPD cop convicted of perjury for lying about 2009 shooting

https://nypost.com/2026/04/24/us-news/ex-nypd-cop-convicted-of-perjury-for-lying-about-circumstances-of-2009-bronx-shooting/

Sentencing delayed for CA cops convicted of extorting marijuana from motorists

The two officers would drive far outside their jurisdiction in an unmarked vehicle, dressed in generic tactical gear without badges and pull over drivers they suspected of carrying large amounts of cannabis. They would then falsely claim to be agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and threaten arrest if drivers refused to hand over their marijuana.

https://courthousenews.com/sentencing-delayed-for-ex-cop-convicted-of-extorting-marijuana/

Off-duty DC police captain left weapon unattended when a 14-year-old girl pulled trigger thinking it was a prop

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/girl-police-officer-gun-tysons-corner/4095727

After Years of Waiting, Many Opioid Victims Will Be Shut Out of Purdue Settlement

As police departments make millions from opioid settlements.

https://www.propublica.org/article/purdue-settlement-leaves-opioid-victims-behind

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/after-waiting-years-justice-many-purdue-opioid-victims-are-defeated-by-paperwork-2026-04-24/

https://www.euractiv.com/news/explainer-are-your-secret-messages-ever-truly-private/

How You Phones Push Notifications Can Betray Your Privacy (and What to Do About It)

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/how-push-notifications-can-betray-your-privacy-and-what-do-about-it

Trump Threatens to Fire Powell if He Does Not Resign From Federal Reserve

https://archive.ph/C8K3A

Trump’s DOJ make surprise visit to Federal Reserve office

“Prosecutors from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office made a surprise visit on Tuesday to the Federal Reserve’s headquarters renovation ​project, as the Trump administration continues its pressure campaign against the central ‌bank.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-prosecutors-make-surprise-visit-federal-reserve-office-2026-04-15/

Cyberscammers are bypassing banks’ security with illicit tools sold on Telegram

https://archive.ph/dL4rs

Trump executive order would require banks to collect citizenship information

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5830266-trump-executive-order-banking-system-citizenship/

AI chatbots misdiagnose over 80% of early medical cases

https://archive.is/BmFHu

Ed Blum Is Trying to Keep Black Kids Out of School Again

https://ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics/ed-blum-cbc-scholarship-lawsuit/

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner has always been a cringefest. Trump just invited himself

https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2026/white-house-correspondents-dinner-trump-criticism/

Hollywood stars sign open letter opposing Paramount-Warner Bros deal
https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/hollywood-stars-sign-open-letter-opposing-paramount-warner-bros-deal-2026-04-13/

David Ellison to Host Private Dinner ‘Honoring’ Donald Trump as Paramount Awaits Closing of Warner Bros. Deal

https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/david-ellison-dinner-honoring-donald-trump-1236722579/

The Far-Right Center for American Rights supplied legal arguments, the FCC used against Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast networks

https://www.wired.com/story/the-fcc-has-a-fast-lane-for-complaints-about-trumps-media-critics/

MAGA’s FTC Has Built The Censorship Industrial Complex It Was Screaming About

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/16/oh-look-the-maga-ftc-built-the-censorship-industrial-complex-it-was-screaming-about/

Trump family’s crypto company accused of freezing out investors as value plummets

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-crypto-world-liberty-justin-sun-rcna331555

Trump family deal spree could open door for future presidents to profit from office
https://apnews.com/article/trump-organization-crypto-conflict-eric-deals-863d8850f536df291391e949ba1bc00e

Trump Plans Mar-a-Lago Feast for Crypto Grift’s Biggest Spenders

https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-dishing-out-mar-a-lago-feast-to-crypto-grifts-biggest-spenders/

Trump’s DOJ to Settle Predatory Lending Case Without Compensating Victims

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-doj-colony-ridge-texas-settlement-victims

BS WARNING: Trump weighs appointing Michael Murray to lead antitrust at DOJ

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-weighs-appointing-michael-murray-lead-antitrust-doj-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-04-16/

BS WARNING: US will punish fraud, insider trading, derivatives regulator tells Congress

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-will-punish-fraud-insider-trading-derivatives-regulator-tells-congress-2026-04-16/

Congresswoman Introduces Congressional Stock Trading Ban, Additional Measures to Restore Public Trust as Part of ‘No Getting Rich in Congress Act’

https://stevens.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-stevens-introduces-congressional-stock-trading-ban-additional-measures

How the Stop Insider Trading Act Fails to Solve the Congressional Stock Trading Problem

https://campaignlegal.org/document/how-stop-insider-trading-act-fails-solve-congressional-stock-trading-problem

At Least 88 Big Corporations Paid $0 in Federal Income Tax Last Year

https://itep.org/88-profitable-corporations-paid-zero-income-tax-in-2025/

Judge faults Trump for ‘brazen’ bid to continue White House ballroom construction

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/judge-faults-trump-brazen-bid-continue-ballroom-construction-2026-04-16/

Trump’s Arts Chief says D.C. needs three arches, not one

https://archive.ph/PdJYk

Trump’s arch gets overwhelmingly negative public feedback but appears poised to move forward

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/16/politics/trump-arch-feedback-commission

White House press secretary Leavitt says Interior will submit plans to begin construction of 250ft Trump arch

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5832850-white-house-trump-triumphal-arch-leavitt-plans/

Trump wants a “National Garden of American Heroes” for America’s 250th birthday. Sources say it’s unlikely even one statue will be ready

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/19/politics/trump-national-garden-of-american-heroes-west-potomac-park

Is Trump Investigating the NFL Because He Failed To Buy a Team So Many Times?

https://reason.com/2026/04/14/is-trump-investigating-the-nfl-because-he-failed-to-buy-a-team-so-many-times/

FBI under Trump ramps up probe of ex-CIA chief Brennan over Russian interference in 2017 election report

https://www.reuters.com/world/fbi-under-trump-ramps-up-probe-ex-cia-chief-brennan-over-russia-report-sources-2026-04-16/

Inside Trump’s Effort to “Take Over” the Midterm Elections

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-midterm-elections-takeover

Trump’s voting restrictions bill may fail, but parts live on in 23 states

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trumps-voting-restrictions-bill-may-fail-parts-live-23-states-2026-04-14/

Louisiana GOP races to eliminate an elected office won by an exonerated Black man

“The state Legislature is largely Republican and white, and the deeply red state has been leading efforts to gut the Voting Rights Act. “

https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/louisiana-gop-races-eliminate-elected-office-won-exonerated-131893449

Seeking proof of citizenship for voter registration, Louisiana sues federal election agency

https://www.courthousenews.com/seeking-proof-of-citizenship-for-voter-registration-louisiana-sues-federal-election-agency/

Kansas lawmakers overturn governor’s veto, criminalize protests and attack voting rights

“Kansas state lawmakers overrode gubernatorial vetoes last week in a broad attack on Kansans’ ability to vote, to be free from unconstitutional detention, and to protest.”

https://www.aclukansas.org/press-releases/kansas-lawmakers-end-legislative-session-with-attack-on-voters-immigrants-and-due-process-for-all/

Swing state officials accused of secretly meeting to help Trump seize election files

https://americanoversight.org/american-oversight-demands-georgia-election-board-members-address-court-filing-made-without-public-process/

Judge rejects Trump’s Justice Department effort to obtain Rhode Island’s voter data

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/judge-rejects-us-justice-department-effort-obtain-rhode-islands-voter-data-2026-04-17/

Indiana ban on student IDs for voting blocked by judge

https://www.courthousenews.com/indiana-ban-on-student-ids-for-voting-blocked-by-federal-judge/

Virginia joins a national effort to ensure only popular vote winners become president

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5742595/virginia-popular-vote-compact

The FTC’s Probe of Media Matters for America Is a Blatant Assault on Freedom of Speech

https://reason.com/2026/04/15/the-ftcs-probe-of-media-matters-for-america-is-a-blatant-assault-on-freedom-of-speech/

AI toys are telling kids how to find knives, and senators are mad

https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/846573/ai-toys-built-on-openais-chatgpt-inappropriate-content-senators-letter

Google In Talks With Department Of War To Deploy Gemini AI

https://www.newsweek.com/pentagon-weighs-googles-gemini-ai-for-military-use-anthropic-fallout-11839175

Government Workers Say They’re Getting Inundated With Christianity

On February 7, 2025, Trump signed an executive order establishing the official White House Faith Office as well as faith offices across government agencies. The White House Faith Office is led by Paula White-Cain, a pastor and televangelist known for her controversial invocations throughout Trump’s various presidential campaigns. Since then, faith offices have sprung up across agencies, and Christianity has started appearing in office life. A July 2025 memo from the Office of Personnel Management titled “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace” permits federal employees to essentially proselytize to their colleagues, so long as trying to “persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views” doesn’t cross the line into harassment.

https://archive.ph/gKRwm

Anthropic Consults Christian Leaders to Help Its “Moral and Spiritual Development”
https://archive.ph/uUV93

Anthropic co-founder confirms the company briefed the Trump administration on Mythos

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/14/anthropic-co-founder-confirms-the-company-briefed-the-trump-administration-on-mythos/

Federal agencies skirt Trump’s Anthropic ban to test its advanced AI model

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/14/anthropic-mythos-federal-agency-testing-00872439

Federal agencies report over 3,000 AI use cases in 2025

https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/04/agencies-report-over-3000-ai-use-cases-2025/412898

White House to give US agencies Anthropic Mythos access
https://www.reuters.com/technology/white-house-give-us-agencies-anthropic-mythos-access-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-04-16/

Anthropic Raises Price for Power Users

https://gizmodo.com/anthropic-is-jacking-up-the-price-for-power-users-amid-complaints-its-model-is-getting-worse-2000746923

OpenAI expands Trusted Access for Cyber program with new GPT 5.4 Cyber model

https://cyberscoop.com/openai-expands-trusted-access-for-cyber-to-thousands-for-cybersecurity/

Agents hacked into GitHub can steal credentials – but Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft haven’t warned users

https://oddguan.com/blog/comment-and-control-prompt-injection-credential-theft-claude-code-gemini-cli-github-copilot/

One First

220. Ideology and Shadow Docket Precedent

Welcome back to “One First,” a newsletter that aims to make the U.S. Supreme Court more accessible to lawyers and non-lawyers alike. I’m grateful to all of you for your continued support, and I hope that you’ll consider sharing some of what we’re doing with your networks…

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21 days ago · 218 likes · 26 comments · Steve Vladeck

US DOGE Service is alive and growing, organization official says

https://fedscoop.com/us-doge-service-alive-growing-organization-official-says/

Where the DOGE Operatives Are Now

https://archive.ph/XduSR

Owners of New Tesla Signature Edition Cars Will Be Fined $50K For Re-selling Vehicle

https://electrek.co/2026/04/16/tesla-signature-edition-no-resale-agreement-50000-penalty/

Tesla adds ‘streaks,’ other stats to track how often drivers use Full Self-Driving software

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/14/tesla-adds-streaks-and-other-stats-to-track-how-often-drivers-use-full-self-driving-software/

Tesla launches voice-activated spying Grok update

https://electrek.co/2026/04/13/tesla-spring-update-2026-hey-grok-self-driving-app-pet-mode/

Grok AI is still making sexual deepfakes, despite X’s promise to stop it

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/rcna265855

Grok’s sexual deepfakes almost got it banned from Apple’s App Store

https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/912297/apple-app-store-ban-grok-x-deepfakes

Musk’s xAI sues over Colorado’s AI antidiscrimination law, claiming it’s a threat to Grok’s free speech

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/10/elon-musk-colorado-ai-law-federal-court-lawsuit/

NAACP lawsuit accuses Musk’s xAI of polluting Black neighborhoods near Memphis

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/14/naacp-lawsuit-elon-musk-xai-memphis

What Are the Politics of a Platform? The Case of X (Part 1)

https://www.techpolicy.press/what-are-the-politics-of-a-platform-the-case-of-x/

What Are the Politics of a Platform? What the Data Says About Content Moderation on X (Part 2)

https://www.techpolicy.press/what-are-the-politics-of-a-platform-what-the-data-says-about-content-moderation-on-x/

AI ruling prompts warnings from US lawyers: Your chats could be used against you

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/ai-ruling-prompts-warnings-us-lawyers-your-chats-could-be-used-against-you-2026-04-15/

Meta tries to defeat AGs’ claims ahead of children’s addiction trial

https://www.courthousenews.com/meta-tries-to-defeat-ags-claims-ahead-of-childrens-addiction-trial/

Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit

https://archive.ph/Tl5vn

https://globalprivacyaudit.org/2026/california

Microsoft faces fresh Windows Recall security concerns

https://www.theverge.com/report/912101/microsoft-windows-recall-new-security-concerns-response

108 Chrome extensions caught stealing user data and hijacking sessions

https://socket.dev/blog/108-chrome-ext-linked-to-data-exfil-session-theft-shared-c2

WebinarTV Secretly Scraped Zoom Meetings of Anonymous Recovery Programs

https://archive.ph/H882V

100+ Journalists Applaud the Internet Archive’s Role In Preserving the Public Record

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2026-04-13-100-journalists-applaud-the-internet-archives-role-in-preserving-the-public-record/

Advertising Agencies Settle Media Censorship Lawsuit With FTC

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/big-ad-agencies-settle-us-ftc-probe-into-alleged-boycott-over-political-content-2026-04-15/

Booking.com data breach

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/13/booking-com-confirms-hackers-accessed-customers-data/

Data is driving the militarization of tech

https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5756/challenging-militarisation-tech-visual-explainer

Missouri Town Council Approves Data Center. A Week Later, Voters Fire Half of Council

https://gizmodo.com/missouri-town-council-approves-data-center-a-week-later-voters-fire-half-of-council-2000746005

Can you get a straight answer about add-on charges for doctor visits?

“Patients are often shocked to see an unexpected “facility fee” charge after a medical appointment – PIRG has talked with dozens who have been charged one. Facility fees are intended to cover hospital costs, but are often applied to outpatient appointments that don’t even use hospital specific resources. Insurance often won’t cover them, and patients are stuck paying more without any improvement in the quality of care they receive.”

https://pirg.org/articles/can-you-get-a-straight-answer-about-add-on-charges-for-doctor-visits/

Medicare Can Guarantee Coverage, But Not Care

“Studies have found that states with more generous Medicaid payments have higher physician participation rates, and many doctors report that low reimbursement leads them to limit or avoid treating Medicaid patients altogether.”

https://www.cato.org/blog/you-can-guarantee-coverage-not-care

Judge gives tentative OK to $56M Flo Health privacy settlement

https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-gives-tentative-ok-to-56-million-menstrual-app-privacy-settlement/

Two privacy lawsuits allege patient data shared with third parties

https://www.legalnewsline.com/florida-record/two-cases-allege-patient-data-shared-with-third-parties/article_383392a0-95ff-4fc2-be32-c09d40f8048b.html

State & Local Privacy News

Public Citizen Unveils New Tracker for State Legislation Regulating Chatbots
“Today, Public Citizen launched a new, interactive tracker monitoring state-level efforts to regulate generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and companion products.”

https://www.citizen.org/news/public-citizen-unveils-new-tracker-for-state-legislation-regulating-chatbots/

VT- Violent crime drop is much lower than the FBI’s figures

“All the data sources show a decline from 2024 levels, but the degree of the decline and the longer-term trend are less apparent. The FBI and the city data portal, for example, suggest violent crime looked more like 2023-2024. And the annual police report shows a higher 13% drop from 2024 to 2025 while the FBI shows only a 1% difference.”

https://archive.ph/Kkzet

ME- State Legislature Fails to Enact Online Data Privacy Act

https://epic.org/maine-legislature-fails-to-enact-maine-online-data-privacy-act/

ME- Lawmakers approve first-in-nation temporary ban on data centers

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/14/maine-lawmakers-approve-first-in-nation-ban-on-data-centers-2/

ME- Police fine driver of mobile billboard targeting Janet Mills on data centers

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/16/police-pull-the-plug-on-mobile-billboard-targeting-janet-mills-on-data-centers/

NH- Big Week for 20K Crime Victims Waiting for Payments from Perpetrators

https://indepthnh.org/2026/04/16/big-week-in-nh-for-victims-waiting-for-payments-from-perpetrators/

MA- Gov. Healey hides behind public records law exemption, withholds majority of ICE portal entries

“Gov. Maura Healey is hiding behind her exemption to the public records law to withhold hundreds of entries sent to the ICE Misconduct Portal she created last month with Attorney General Andrea Campbell, a move in line with the Bay State’s reputation as the least transparent state in the country.”

https://archive.ph/4zAmq

MA- MBTA invokes admiralty law in bid to limit its liability after deckhand loses part of leg while docking at the Aquarium

https://www.universalhub.com/2026/mbta-invokes-admiralty-law-bid-limit-its-liability-ferry-accident-saw

NH- Police departments have made 51 immigration arrests in the past year

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-13/ice-arrests-local-police-new-hampshire-287g-immigration

NH- AG investigating new abuse concerns at the John Sununu Youth Services Center

https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/15/new-hampshire-youth-center-abuse/

MA- Howie Carr: Abolish the State Police, Today

https://archive.ph/hL2sb

NY- NYC urges appeals court to revive controversial diner data sharing law

https://www.courthousenews.com/nyc-urges-second-circuit-to-revive-controversial-diner-data-sharing-law/

VA- Governor Signs Bill Banning Sale of Precise Location Data

https://epic.org/virginia-governor-signs-bill-banning-sale-of-precise-location-data/

NC- UNC Chapel Hill investigating students over satire

https://www.fire.org/news/unc-chapel-hills-students-dabbled-satire-now-university-investigating

OH- Going braless could land women in jail under anti-drag bill

https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2026/04/14/house-bill-249-drag-queens-t-shirts-bikinis-indecent-exposure-modernization-act/89597407007/

MN- City of Bloomington cancels Flock Safety camera contract, wants to use other companies

The City said it will look at other technologies and providers that “better balance public safety needs with privacy protections, transparency, accountability and public trust.”

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/city-of-bloomington-moving-away-from-flock-following-months-of-evaluation

KS- State Legislature overrides governor’s veto of campus free speech bill honoring Charlie Kirk

https://kansasreflector.com/2026/04/09/kansas-legislature-overturns-veto-to-pass-free-speech-bill-honoring-charlie-kirk/

MO- Families scorn sex offender registry as ‘badge of stigma’ at Eighth Circuit

Attorney Guy Hamilton-Smith argued before the panel of judges the sex offender registry creates “a permanent, inescapable badge of stigma” while attempting to revive his clients’ claims after they were dismissed by a federal judge. The nine plaintiffs have homes listed on the registry due to a past conviction or that of a spouse or parent.

https://www.courthousenews.com/families-scorn-missouri-sex-offender-registry-as-badge-of-stigma-at-eighth-circuit/

CA- Elk Grove city council approves 87 Flock Safety camera contrct

https://www.egcitizen.com/2026/04/14/569534/council-approves-automatic-license-plate-reader-contract-amendment

CA- BS WARNING: Pasadena Police Chief to Update Public Safety Committee on Flock Safety Cameras

https://pasadenanow.com/main/police-chief-to-update-public-safety-committee-on-flock-safety-automated-license-plate-reader-program

CA- Three San Jose Residents File Class Action Over City’s Flock Safety Surveillance of Drivers

“As an engineer specializing in privacy, I know how important it is to protect people’s data and how even just a few points of location history can reveal profound and sensitive insights about a person’s life,” said Tony Tan. “Having spent time in China, I know what an authoritarian surveillance state looks like, and I worry about the proliferation of similar mass surveillance technologies across the United States. I want to ensure that police state tactics do not become commonplace here.”

https://ij.org/press-release/three-san-jose-residents-file-federal-class-action-lawsuit-over-citys-mass-surveillance-of-drivers/

CA- The “Stop Nick Shirley Act” Would Penalize Journalism

https://reclaimthenet.org/california-ab-2624-stop-nick-shirley-act

World Privacy News

After Viktor Orbán loss, Europe’s far right reassesses MAGA endorsement

https://www.euronews.com/2026/04/14/after-orban-loss-europes-far-right-reassesses-maga-endorsement

Don’t read too much into Viktor Orbán’s defeat (Trump before Trump)

For MAGA, Peter Magyar’s win was still a shock to the system, of course. By the time German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his address on Monday, there was still an eerie hush in Washington over the downfall of the movement’s strongest ideological European ally — affectionately called the “Trump before Trump.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-election-analysis-viktor-orban-defeat-far-right/

Viktor Orbán’s defeat is also a blow to his ally Netanyahu

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/14/europe/orbans-defeat-netanyahu-ally-intl

Changing of the guard in Budapest is anything but a swing to the left

https://www.euractiv.com/news/no-greens-no-liberals-no-reds-changing-of-the-guard-in-budapest-is-anything-but-a-swing-to-the-left/

EU court condemns France’s police profiling practices

https://edri.org/our-work/the-court-of-justice-of-the-european-union-condemns-frances-police-profiling-practices/

Brussels launched an age checking app. Hackers say it took them 2 minutes to break it

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-brussels-launched-age-checking-app-hackers-say-took-them-2-minutes-break-it/

Maritime Passport previews ‘Gold Standard’ Digital ID

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/maritime-passport-previews-gold-standard-digital-identity-solution-for-seafarers-at-imo-fal-50/

EU Says EUDI Wallet Is Voluntary; Germany’s SPD Plan Says Otherwise

https://reclaimthenet.org/eu-says-eudi-wallet-is-voluntary-germanys-spd-plan-says-otherwise

EU age verification app ready as Europe moves to curb children’s social media access

https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-age-verification-app-ready-europe-moves-curb-childrens-social-media-access-2026-04-15/

European Commission Announces Age Verification App, but Privacy and Security Concerns Remain

https://cdt.org/press/european-commission-announces-age-verification-app-but-privacy-security-and-free-expression-concerns-remain/

How can the EU protect children online while dismantling the very rules designed to keep them safe?

https://edri.org/our-work/how-can-the-eu-protect-children-online-while-dismantling-the-very-rules-designed-to-keep-them-safe/

Germany’s digital minister wants a European Palantir

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-minister-backs-push-to-build-a-european-palantir/

France- UN warns government’s antisemitism bill threatens free speech

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/04/france-draft-antisemitism-law-could-seriously-undermine-free-expression-and

France- Government’s new antisemitism bill would criminalize ‘from the river to the sea’

https://www.fire.org/news/blogs/free-speech-dispatch/french-bill-would-criminalize-river-sea

Italy- Government FINALLY suspends defense cooperation agreement with Israel

https://www.euractiv.com/news/italy-suspends-defence-cooperation-agreement-with-israel/

UK- Israeli organization Shivat Zion helps citizens move to West Bank

https://www.declassifieduk.org/exposed-israeli-operation-to-help-brits-move-to-west-bank/

UK- Met police arrested 523 people for supporting Palestine Action

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp38z9lylddo

UK- Trump threatens to shred trade deal over PM Starmer’s Iran war opposition

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-keir-starmer-threatens-unpick-trade-deal-iran-war-opposition/

UK- PM Starmer Resists Pressure To Resign As Epstein-Linked Ambassador Scandal Deepens

https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/starmer-faces-calls-to-resign-as-uk-government-22210516.php

UK- MP’s pass law restricting repeat protests

https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/mps-vote-crime-policing-bill-b2957746.html

https://socialistworker.co.uk/news/mps-vote-for-more-repression-with-ban-on-repeated-protests/

THE FREEDOM BLOG

Those Who Seek to Scale Back Jury Trials Profoundly Misunderstand Their Authority Over the Constitutional Order

The Labour-led British government is currently attempting to hollow out an ancient pillar of English constitutionalism, trial by jury. Under their planned reforms, trial by jury would survive in England and Wales for certain types of crimes, but its use would be significantly curtailed. For example, according to a government…

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4 months ago · 12 likes · 4 comments · David Thunder

UK- Football, Facial Recognition and the Expansion of Police Surveillance

https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5759/moving-goalposts-football-facial-recognition-and-expansion-surveillance

UK- Government Pledges £82M for Biometric Justice ID System (Fingerprint/Facial Recognition)

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-overhaul-of-prison-system-to-drive-down-release-errors

UK- Government needs digital sovereignty strategy to address threats from reliance on Big Tech

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/new-report-uk-needs-digital-sovereignty-strategy-to-address-threats-from-reliance-on-big-tech/

Philippines- Government to use facial/Iris scanners to ID healthcare members

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2202080/philhealth-launches-online-records-check-for-members

Philippines- 67M people have signed up for the government’s national digital ID program

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2211995/psa-12m-national-id-cards-up-for-delivery-in-2026

Vietnam- Da Nang International Airport to use facial recognition to ID passengers

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/one-of-southeast-asia-s-best-airports-launches-biometric-priority-lane-for-passengers-5061623.html

Vietnam- Government to use facial recognition to ID citizens who purchase new phones

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/biometric-verification-required-for-mobile-device-changes-from-april-15-post340765.vnp

Taiwan- Taipei Songshan Airport to use facial recognition to ID passengers

https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202604140016

India- The Supreme Court to Examine Iris/Facial Recognition for Voter Verification

https://www.outlookindia.com/national/supreme-court-to-examine-biometric-facial-recognition-for-voter-verification

Kazakhstan- Sentencing of 19 activists over peaceful Xinjiang protest a travesty of justice

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/kazakhstan-sentencing-of-19-activists-over-peaceful-xinjiang-protest-a-travesty-of-justice/

Kazakhstan- Government’s National Bank to store citizen’s palm prints for at least 5 years

https://el.kz/en/palm-prints-of-kazakhstan-citizens-to-be-stored-in-the-database-for-at-least-five-years_400046138/

Jordan- Government makes digital ID mandatory for access to public services

https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-109/News/Civil-Status-Amendment-Approved-Mandatory-Use-of-Digital-Identity-for-Public-and-Private-Sectors-50517

NZ- Air NZ plans to expand digital ID trials to Australia flights

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/travel-news/air-nz-plans-to-expand-digital-id-trials-to-australia-flights-after-successful-hong-kong-pilot/Z5C5ISSFGRFZ5D6DAWCPLXTQ3M/

Canada- Librarians Raise ‘Serious Privacy Concerns’ Over Age Verification Bill

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/serious-privacy-concerns-library-leaders-raise-alarm-over-proposed-govt-restrictions

Canada- Edmonton cops to wear facial recognition body cams

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-police-emails-documents-provide-new-information-on-canada-first-ai-facial-recognition-bodycam-pilot-9.7157991

Canada- Facephi Opens Office in British Columbia

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/13/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/facephi-strengthens-its-international-expansion-with-the-opening-of-a-subsidiary-in-canada/2318820

St. Kitts and Nevis orders all holders of citizenship must enroll in the government’s National Biometric Enrollment and Passport Modernization Program (facial recognition, Iris scan and fingerprints)

https://ciu.gov.kn/st-kitts-and-nevis-launches-national-biometric-enrolment-and-passport-modernisation-programme/

Christ embracing Trump against the backdrop of an American flag

“I was never a very religious man.. But doesn’t it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed… that God might be playing his Trump card!”

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-jesus-2676722086/

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116408742801619405

Hegseth compares ‘Trump-hating’ reporters to enemies of Jesus

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/hegseth-invokes-bible-compare-reporters-enemies-jesus-2026-04-16/

Trump yanks millions from Catholic Charities amid Pope feud

https://archive.ph/K8p4F

Trump Claims Iran could Nuke The Vatican

https://www.news10.com/hill-politics/trump-says-he-wont-meet-pope-leo-says-he-can-disagree-with-pontiff/

Staunch Trump Supporters Are Asking If He’s the Antichrist

https://archive.ph/DtrnW

Trump says he doesn’t owe Pope Leo an apology after attacking him for comments on Iran

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-he-doesnt-owe-pope-leo-an-apology-after-attacking-him-for-comments-on-iran

Trump Brags He’s a Global Savior

Trump wants to give himself the medal of honor because he flew to Iraq

“I flew to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor,” Trump said, adding that he asked his “people” if he was allowed to do so. “Someday I’m gonna try. I’m gonna test the law.”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-wants-medal-of-honor_n_69e5bbd8e4b0b6f552bab9fe

House Dem Asks General For Assurances If Trump Deploys Troops To Polling Places

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/house-dem-asks-general-assurances-191617759.html

MAGA turns on Tucker Carlson: Ted Cruz calls him a “deranged, leftist psycho”

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5833050-ted-cruz-tucker-carlson-iran-war-clash/

Trump Still Pretending The Most Dangerous Domestic Terrorists Are People Who Don’t Like Fascism

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/17/trump-still-pretending-the-most-dangerous-domestic-terrorists-are-people-who-dont-like-fascism/

IRONY: Trump Administration to ban European politicians from World Cup over ‘antisemitism’

“We are holding countries accountable for ministers who are saying things, and they are not being allowed into the country,” said Yehuda Kaploun, an ultra-orthodox rabbi appointed by Donald Trump as a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. He was addressing a conference in Brussels on Wednesday.

https://www.euractiv.com/news/us-to-ban-european-politicians-from-world-cup-over-antisemitism/

Pentagon ramps up planning of possible military ops in Cuba

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/04/15/pentagon-ramps-up-secret-cuba-planning-trump/89623722007/

Hegseth ask Ford and GM to make weapons for the first time since WWII

https://www.newsweek.com/ford-gm-could-be-about-to-make-weapons-for-the-first-time-since-ww2-11836674

Defense giant Anduril is quietly building autonomous warships on Seattle’s historic ship canal

https://www.geekwire.com/2026/defense-giant-anduril-is-quietly-building-autonomous-warships-on-seattles-historic-ship-canal/

A private equity billionaire mounts his biggest takeover yet: The Pentagon

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/a-private-equity-billionaire-mounts-his-biggest-takeover-yet-the-pentagon/ar-AA20ZAq3

Trump Wants to Rename the Strait of Hormuz the Trump Strait

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/27/trump-strait-of-hormuz-iran-war.html

Netanyahu Boasts: Trump Admin Briefs Me Every Day On Iran

https://www.newsweek.com/netanyahu-trump-administration-daily-briefings-sparks-backlash-iran-war-11821658

WHO confirms over 20 strikes on Iranian health facilities since March 1st

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/who-confirms-over-20-strikes-on-iranian-health-facilities-as-global-alarm-grows/ar-AA206eiW

The Iranian Red Crescent claims the U.S. and Israel have bombed 307 medical facilities

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/3/more-than-20-attacks-on-iranian-healthcare-facilities-since-march-1-who

Iran slams YouTube ban on pro-Iranian group’s Lego-style AI videos

“In a land that proudly hosts Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and The Walt Disney Company, an independent animated YouTube channel – which had organically grown by depicting U.S. aggression & warmongering, and garnered millions of viewers – was abruptly shut down!! Why?!” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei posted on X on Monday. Baghaei said: “Simply to suppress the truth about their ‘illegal war’ on Iran and shield the American administration’s false narrative from any competing voice.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/iran-slams-youtube-ban-on-pro-iranian-groups-lego-style-ai-videos

Content warfare, AI slop and 80s French hits: Is Iran out-trolling Donald Trump?

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2026/04/15/content-warfare-ai-slop-and-80s-french-hits-is-iran-out-trolling-donald-trump

Chinese firm claims it tracked US stealth bomber jets over Iran

https://archive.ph/E1Vgb

Republican Senator Goes After Somali Americans In Rant: ‘You Should Be Out Of Here’

https://www.aol.com/articles/gop-senator-goes-somali-americans-003915717.html

Trump’s war with Iran could cost the American taxpayer $1 trillion

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/14/iran-war-cost-us-taxpayer-trillion-harvard.html

Trump administration murders 5 people in boat strikes in the Pacific ocean

https://www.wunc.org/2026-04-13/strikes-on-alleged-drug-boats-kill-5-in-eastern-pacific-u-s-military-says

State Department Tells Human Rights Watchdog to Ignore Trump’s Extrajudicial Killings

https://archive.ph/FSyQ4

Trump Jr.-linked cage-fighters make pitch to train US military

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/trump-jr-linked-cage-fighters-make-pitch-to-train-us-military/ar-AA20Rhlq

Pentagon Pete’s bid to purge women from military suffers setback

https://www.thedailybeast.com/pentagon-pete-hegseths-bid-to-purge-women-from-military-suffers-setback/

Justice Jackson says US Supreme Court’s use of emergency docket is ‘corrosive’

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/justice-jackson-says-us-supreme-courts-use-emergency-docket-is-corrosive-2026-04-15/

ICE agent charged with two felonies for pointing his gun at Minnesota motorists

https://www.startribune.com/ice-agent-charged-with-two-felonies-for-pointing-his-gun-at-motorists-during-operation-metro-surge/601727970

Only 2% of Immigrants Arrested by Trump’s Memphis Crime Task Force Arrests Were for Violent Crimes

https://www.propublica.org/article/memphis-safe-task-force-immigration-arrests-crime-data

Legal Aid, NYCLU, Make the Road NY, and Covington & Burlington sue DHS for Unlawful Stops, Warrantless Immigration Arrests
https://www.nyclu.org/press-release/legal-aid-nyclu-make-the-road-ny-and-covington-burling-llp-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-dhs-for-unlawful-stops-warrantless-immigration-arrests-and-racial-profiling-of-new-yorkers

Judge rules Trump’s DOJ violated First Amendment by asking Google and Apple to block ICE sighting apps

https://www.theverge.com/policy/914619/trump-administration-violated-first-amendment-ice-tracking

ICE Smashed A Disabled Woman’s Car Windows on the Way to the Doctor And Beat Her. Now She’s Fighting Back

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/ice-aliyah-rahman-tort-ntca-dhs/

A Protester Threw a Snowball. Federal Agents Responded With Tear Gas and Pepper Balls

https://www.propublica.org/article/caught-in-crackdown-trump-immigration-ice-cbp-excessive-force

MN journalist filmed an ICE protest at a church. Then federal agents showed up at her door

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/minnesota-journalist-charged-ice-protest

Journalist pleads not guilty to felony charges stemming from church protest

https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/17/journalist-georgia-fort-pleads-not-guilty-to-felony-charges-stemming-from-church-protest/

As Mass Arrests at Anti-ICE Protests Piled Up, Prosecutions Crumbled

https://www.propublica.org/article/caught-in-crackdown-ice-cbp-doj-trump-arrests-convictions

Woman falsely arrested for wearing a penis costume to a No-Kings rally prevails in court

Outside the courtroom, Mary Kay Smith was dressed up in an eggplant costume waving a “NO KINGS - NO DICK-TATORS” sign. Fairhope, Alabama prosecutor Marcus McDowell said it wasn’t a free speech case but argued “no one has a Constitutional right to dress up as an erect penis and stand on the side of the road.” McDowell said Fairhope police officer Andrew Babb attempted to de-escalate, but Renea Gamble’s non-compliance led to the charges. He called Gamble’s husband as a witness to testify that he had withdrawn bail money before they attended the protest, as if she knew she was going to break the law in advance. “I always make sure we got bail money on us,” Larry Fletcher responded, to laughter from the gallery. “I have bail money on me now. Whenever there are this many cops around I have bail money on me.” There were no fewer than 16 uniformed police officers standing around the perimeter of the courtroom.

https://www.courthousenews.com/penis-costume-protester-prevails-in-court/

Cops Are Charging Adults Who Assist Students During Anti-ICE Protests With ‘Delinquency Of A Minor’

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/15/acab-cops-are-bringing-delinquency-of-a-minor-charges-against-adults-who-assist-students-during-anti-ice-protests/

Trump fires more immigration judges, including two who blocked deporting pro-Palestinian students

“With these most recent terminations, 113 immigration judges ​have now been fired since January of last year without due process, cause or ​explanation,” the union said, calling the firings “wrong and unjust.” It was very rare ⁠for immigration judges to be fired before Trump returned to the White House, the National Association of Immigration Judges said.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-fires-more-immigration-judges-including-two-who-blocked-deporting-pro-2026-04-13/

Senate Democrats warn of ‘serious consequences’ from decision upholding DOJ firings

“This decision not only undermines the impartiality of our immigration courts, but also opens the door for the Trump administration to strip longstanding protections for employees across the federal workforce,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Tuesday. “The integrity of our merit-based federal civil service hangs in the balance.”

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce-rightsgovernance/2026/04/senate-democrats-warn-of-serious-consequences-from-decision-upholding-doj-firings/

Justice Department removes lead prosecutor from probe of Trump critic John Brennan

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/17/politics/prosecutor-running-john-brennan-investigation-removed

The Trump Admin’s Lawyers Keep Giving The Same Troubling Answer in Court

“The Justice Department has changed dramatically in Trump’s second term, and former prosecutors say it could take generations to undo the damage.”

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-trump-admins-lawyers-keep-giving-the-same-troubling-answer-in-court_n_69e147f3e4b0b6f552b84c8a

Trump Has Plans To Replace 2 Or 3 Supreme Court Justices

President Donald Trump said he is “prepared” to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise, signaling he is ready to further reshape the high court as speculation swirls around a potential retirement from Justice Samuel Alito.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-reveals-he-has-multi-pick-scotus-plan-ready-retirement-speculation-heats-up

The exit of thousands of DOJ lawyers weakens future prosecutions

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/19/doj-exodus-lawyers-trump/89401004007/

Hegseth Wants the D.C. Appeals Court To Let Him Punish a Senator for Criticizing Him

https://reason.com/2026/04/17/pete-hegseth-wants-the-d-c-circuit-to-let-him-punish-a-senator-for-criticizing-him/

Acting AG Todd Blanche Says Americans “Should Be Happy” With Trump’s Weaponization of DOJ

https://truthout.org/articles/todd-blanche-says-americans-should-be-happy-with-trumps-weaponization-of-doj/

Republican Gov. Abbott threatens $200M in funding from major Texas cities over ICE policies

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/16/texas-greg-abbott-ice-houston-dallas-austin-ice-immigration/

All But 3 Of The 4,499 Refugees Admitted To The US Under Trump Are White South African

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/16/all-but-3-of-the-4499-refugees-admitted-to-the-us-under-trump-are-white-south-africans/

Human rights groups raise alarm over fate of Salvadorans deported from U.S.

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5721174/rights-groups-raise-alarm-over-fate-of-salvadorans-deported-from-us-trump

Nevada Court Latest To Say Mandatory Detention Of Migrants Is Illegal

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/13/nevada-court-latest-to-say-mandatory-detention-of-migrants-is-illegal/

ICE has opened 152 new mega-detention facilities in 39 states, as ICE arrests reach record highs

https://www.vera.org/news/ten-things-veras-ice-detention-trends-dashboard-reveals-about-ice-detention-through-march-2026

Migrant Insider

Canadian Firm With No ICE Experience Just Won $704 Million Arizona Warehouse Contract

WASHINGTON — Before GardaWorld became a household name in the immigration enforcement industrial complex, it was moving cash between banks. Armored trucks. Vaults. Coin counting. Now it’s moving people…

Read more

24 days ago · 180 likes · 16 comments · Pablo Manríquez

ICE Detention Center Contractors Host a Hotbed of Legal Problems, Regulatory Violations and Deadly Conditions

https://www.citizen.org/news/ice-detention-center-contractors-host-a-hotbed-of-legal-problems-regulatory-violations-and-deadly-conditions/

Alligator Alcatraz phones were cut off. Then the beatings began

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/04/12/alligator-alcatraz-phones-were-cut-off-then-the-beatings-began-court-docs-say/

As immigrant deaths in custody grow, ICE reduces what details are made public

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/immigrant-deaths-custody-grow-ice-reduces-details-are-made-public-rcna331852

Deaths of migrants in ICE custody hit record high under Trump

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5789092/deaths-of-migrants-in-ice-custody-hit-record-high-under-trump

Sister of Dead Secure Psychiatric Unit Inmate Sues DOC, Accuses Commissioner of Coverup

https://indepthnh.org/2026/04/16/sister-of-dead-spu-inmate-sues-doc-accuses-ex-commissioner-hanks-of-coverup/

Judge Compares Federal Bureau of Prisons to “Soviet Gulag”

“Outside medical referrals are like Solzhenitsyn’s sick bay in the Soviet Gulag: a coveted but nearly inaccessible refuge for which only prisoners near death qualify for admission,” U.S. District Judge Roy Dalton wrote in his order granting compassionate release to a woman on home confinement in Florida. “Nothing seems to move the nation’s federal prison system operators to improve their response to the urgent medical needs of the federal prison population,” District Judge Dalton wrote. “Court orders go unread or ignored. OIG reports are dismissed, recommendations unheeded. Sanctions brook no change.”

https://theappeal.org/federal-prisons-soviet-gulag/

Sen. Mike Lee Says Federal Prison Hung Up on Him When He Tried To Check on Inmate

https://reason.com/2026/04/15/sen-mike-lee-says-federal-prison-hung-up-on-him-when-he-tried-to-check-on-inmate/

Ghislaine Maxwell’s Attorney Expect Trump To Pardon Her

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/04/17/markus-ghislaine-maxwell-lawyer-pardon-00871508

Epstein told professor Lawrence Krauss to contact his ‘friends’ at White House

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/16/epstein-sexual-harassment-titleix-education-00874871

Epstein survivor says it’s not too late to expose what happened at his New Mexico ranch

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/epstein-files-zorro-ranch-new-mexico-survivor-alleged-sexual-abuse-rcna266917

UN demands justice for Epstein trafficking victims

“That such widespread child trafficking could persist at a global level - implicating multiple globally renowned figures - brings into sharp relief the entrenched discrimination and violence of patriarchal systems of power, and the grave failures of accountability that allow them to endure.”

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/04/un-experts-demand-accountability-trafficking-allegations-epstein-files-warn

Trump Calls Epstein Survivors “Victims Or Whatever”
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-ok-with-public-epstein-survivor-hearings

Judge Dismisses Trump’s Lawsuit Over Wall Street Journal Epstein Report

https://www.reuters.com/world/trumps-lawsuit-against-wall-street-journal-over-epstein-story-dismissed-now-2026-04-13/

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanchel Says He Won’t Release Even One More Epstein File

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-acting-ag-says-won-164021580.html

Facebook and Instagram Tighten Censorship Rules for Saying “Antifa”

If “antifa” is mentioned in the context of “references to historical or recent incidents of violence” — a category so sprawling that it includes “historic wars” and “battles” — that post will also be penalized. Should Meta apply this rule as written, the company could, for instance, restrict posts comparing the antifascist nature of World War II to the contemporary antifa movement.

https://archive.ph/Qu7yc

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed a motion asking for January 6th rioters convictions to be tossed out completely

https://archive.ph/kJPHb
https://archive.ph/c57Ws

Another Trump Attorney Loses Law License Over 2020 Election Scheme

https://apnews.com/article/john-eastman-trump-2020-election-loss-disbarred-abf3b3ab8f83a692992615c59db73c92

MAGA loses it as Trump-aligned attorney disbarred: ‘Clear and terrorizing message!’

https://www.rawstory.com/john-eastman-2676749140/

DISGUSTED: DC Judge Temporarily Allows Pentagon to Enforce Press Restrictions

https://www.ntd.com/federal-judge-temporarily-allows-pentagon-to-enforce-press-restrictions_1138583.html

DISGUSTED: DC Appeals Court Terminates Criminal Contempt Proceedings Against Trump Administration

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/appeals-court-orders-judge-to-end-contempt-investigation-of-deportation-flights

Trump Asks Congress For $10 Billion To Fund His Board Of Peace, With $1.25 Billion Going To The Board (Trump)

“Separately, a published report indicates that the Trump administration is seeking to reallocate $1.25 billion in funds previously appropriated for other purposes to be used for contribution to the Board. The initial $1.25 billion the administration is reportedly seeking to reallocate from previously appropriated funds for a contribution to the Board of Peace would, by itself, nearly equal the total amount of money Congress appropriated for U.S. assessed contributions to all other international organizations worldwide in 2026, and would make the Board one of the two or three largest institutional recipients of U.S. humanitarian assistance funding in the world.”

https://www.justsecurity.org/136200/questions-congress-board-of-peace/

Nearly a year after her son’s death, she learned that ICE was responsible

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5782114/ice-shooting-texas-ruben-ray-martinez-mother

Man shot by ICE agents while trying to escape charged with assaulting federal officers

https://apnews.com/article/california-ice-shooting-carlos-ivan-mendoza-hernandez-71b60ba1007bd705454a4cef5293da6e

https://www.kcra.com/article/california-ice-shooting-carlos-mendoza-hernandez-charged-assault/71016895

Masked gunman who threatened students at anti-ICE school protest was a cop

https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/09/armed-masked-man-hamilton-high-protest-identified-phoenix-police-sergeant/

MI cops, pretended to work for ICE, while visiting three schools to conduct “wellness checks” on students

https://www.wvxu.org/education/2026-04-16/village-gratis-officers-ice-cps-schools-students

California’s No Secret Police Act Would Ban ICE Agents From Wearing Masks

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-amps-up-effort-to-unmask-ice-agents/

Minnesota county investigates ICE agents’ removal of US citizen from his home as a possible kidnapping

https://www.courthousenews.com/minnesota-county-announces-kidnapping-investigation-into-ice-agents/

Trump Administration’s Board of Immigration Appeals Denies Mahmoud Khalil’s Bid to Throw Out Deportation Case

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/trump-administrations-board-of-immigration-appeals-denies-mahmoud-khalils-bid-to-throw-out-deportation-case

Palantir and Thales bid to control air traffic

https://theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-control/faa-smart-ai-predictive-air-traffic-management-system-palantir-thales/

Palantir Paid No Federal Income Tax in 2025 as It Partnered With ICE, Pentagon

https://truthout.org/articles/palantir-paid-no-federal-income-tax-in-2025-as-it-partnered-with-ice-pentagon/

Congress Turns Up Pressure on DHS Over Palantir’s Role in Immigration Crackdown
https://archive.ph/zbQNV

Ken Klippenstein

You Do Not Hate The IRS Enough

The Internal Revenue Service, everyone’s favorite tax collector, is facing deep budget cuts — but don't get too excited. The agency has a bold new plan to audit more of the little people while hiring as few of them as possible…

Read more

18 days ago · 553 likes · 29 comments · Ken Klippenstein

Federal agencies didn’t document Palantir AI acquisition best practices because they weren’t required to

“OMB has stated that agencies should share knowledge about AI acquisitions through a web-based repository developed by the General Services Administration,” the GAO stated. “However, officials at four agencies—GSA and the Departments of Defense , Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs—told GAO they were not prepared to do so because their agency policies did not require them to collect lessons learned.

https://fedscoop.com/agency-ai-procurement-gao-report/

Can AI judge journalism? A Thiel-backed startup says yes, even if it risks chilling whistleblowers

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/15/can-ai-judge-journalism-a-thiel-backed-startup-says-yes-even-if-it-risks-chilling-whistleblowers/

Google Broke Its Promise to Me. Now ICE Has My Data

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/google-broke-its-promise-me-now-ice-has-my-data

YAWN: Thomson Reuters Shareholders Demand Investigation into ICE Contracts

https://archive.ph/nMNIc

Thomson Reuters Fired Worker For Speaking Out About ICE

https://archive.ph/PtyEI

How Republicans have insulated ICE, by giving them $75 billion

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5771608/immigration-congress-75-billion

Louisiana Advances One of the Country’s ‘Cruelest’ Anti-Homeless Bills

One homeless advocacy group said the bill, which would require homeless people to perform unpaid labor to pay for involuntary treatment, “evokes debtor’s prisons, convict leasing, and the ugliest day of Jim Crow.”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/louisiana-homeless-bill

Tennessee’s Charlie Kirk Act bans student walkouts, protects conservative speakers

https://wpln.org/post/tennessees-charlie-kirk-act-bans-student-walkouts-protects-conservative-speakers/

Justice Department Moves To Toss Seditious Conspiracy Convictions Of Oath Keepers And Proud Boys

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/g-s1-117473/justice-department-toss-seditious-conspiracy

Pulling Reports, Playing Politics (The CIA’s Embrace of White Supremacist Rhetoric)

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/pulling-reports--playing-politics

House Lawmakers Reintroduced the BITMAP Authorization Act (Biometric ID)

https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-reintroduces-legislation-stop-bad-actors-entering-us

DHS and TSA Expand Research Partnership with Global e-dentity “Powered by President Trump’s Visionary Leadership”

https://globaledentity.com/

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260415296904/en/Global-edentity-Expands-Landmark-CRADA-with-DHS-TSA-Powered-by-President-Trumps-Visionary-Leadership-to-Secure-Americas-National-Identity-with-Advanced-Biometrics

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to use facial recognition dormakaba eGates to ID passengers

https://www.airportsinternational.com/article/american-launch-e-gates-dfw

How facial recognition led to an innocent woman being jailed for 6 months

https://archive.ph/pDQdR

Maryland Woman Wrongly Jailed for Months Based on Faulty Facial Recognition Demands Apology from Police Departments

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/woman-wrongly-jailed-for-months-based-on-faulty-facial-recognition-technology-demands-apology-from-maryland-police-departments

More than a Dozen Wrongful Arrests Due to Police Reliance on Facial Recognition

https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/more-than-a-dozen-wrongful-arrests-due-to-police-reliance-on-facial-recognition-technology

Lawton police to use facial recognition to ID people

https://www.kswo.com/2026/04/15/lawton-city-council-adopts-facial-recognition-policy-discusses-fees/

Syracuse, NY lawmakers move to ban facial recognition surveillance in public places

https://centralcurrent.org/syracuse-lawmakers-move-to-ban-biometric-surveillance-in-public-places/

PRIVACY NIGHTMARE: The Shocking Secrets of Madison Square Garden’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Machine

https://archive.ph/Dpgxy

Google Wants to Put Gucci Smart Glasses on Your Face

https://gizmodo.com/google-wants-to-put-gucci-smart-glasses-on-your-face-2000747582

Meta Is Warned That Facial Recognition Glasses Will Arm Sexual Predators

https://archive.ph/qy6ui

75 Groups Demand Meta Drop Facial Recognition Smart Glasses

https://www.aclum.org/publications/coalition-letter-to-meta-regarding-frt-feature/

Apple’s Smart Glasses Are Stepping Into a Privacy Minefield

https://gizmodo.com/apples-smart-glasses-are-stepping-into-a-privacy-minefield-2000746809

Snappt uses CLEAR facial recognition to ID rental fraud applications

https://ir.clearme.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/181/clear-and-snappt-close-the-identity-gap-in-property

Evolv weapons detectors to use Omnigo watchlist facial recognition

“Through the integration with Evolv Express, Omnigo’s incident management platform transforms both weapons detection alerts and persons of interest recognition into structured incident records. Using cameras within the Evolv system, detected faces can be compared against authorized watchlists maintained in Omnigo— triggering predefined response actions when a match occurs.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/omnigo-expands-incident-intelligence-through-integration-with-evolv-weapons-detection-302735845.html

Tinder and Zoom partner with Altman’s World

https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/30/world-partners-with-tinder-visa-to-bring-its-id-verifying-tech-to-more-places/

The Right Wing Origins Age Verification Laws Don’t Disappear Just Because They’re Going Bipartisan

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/16/the-right-wing-origins-age-verification-laws-dont-disappear-just-because-theyre-going-bipartisan/

Josh Gottheimer’s Bill Mandates On-Device Age Verification

https://reclaimthenet.org/us-bill-mandates-on-device-age-verification

https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-announces-bipartisan-parents-decide-act-to-protect-kids-online

Age verification is a mess but we’re doing it anyway

https://www.theverge.com/policy/913038/age-verification-flaws

Idaho Bans Mandatory Digital ID With New Privacy Law

https://www.todayville.com/idaho-bans-mandatory-digital-id-with-new-privacy-law/

The OpenID Foundation launches digital ID working group

https://openid.net/oidf-welcomes-nist-sp-1800-42-and-announces-ekyc-work-item/

Ghost Sharks, Robo-Dogs, and the Theater of Border Technologies

https://www.techpolicy.press/ghost-sharks-robodogs-and-the-theater-of-border-technologies/

FBI Director Kash Patel’s Endless Wild Booze Binges Spilled by Top Officials

https://www.thedailybeast.com/keystone-kash-patels-endless-wild-booze-binges-spilled-by-top-officials/

https://archive.ph/h7NVD

Why Congress is fighting over a central tool of American surveillance (Section 702)

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5768270/what-to-know-about-section-702-surveillance

House GOP Leaders Advance FISA Section 702 Authorization

https://rollcall.com/2026/04/14/house-starts-uncertain-push-to-reauthorize-key-surveillance-authority/

House GOP readies vote to renew FISA 702 without a warrant amendment

https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/04/house-readies-vote-renew-fisa-702-without-warrant-amendment/412856

New Ad Calls Out Jim Himes For Siding With Trump & Stephen Miller on Section 702 Surveillance

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2026-04-14-new-ad-calls-out-himes-for-siding-with-trump-miller-on-surveillance/

Trump urges Republican lawmakers to unify to extend Section 702 surveillance approval

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-urges-republican-lawmakers-unify-extend-surveillance-approval-2026-04-14/

Trump Says He’s Willing To ‘Risk’ Your Rights for His Section 702 Surveillance Powers

https://reason.com/2026/04/15/trump-says-hes-willing-to-risk-your-rights-for-his-surveillance-powers/

Trump’s DOJ to appeal intelligence court ruling over use of Section 702 spying power

https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/04/doj-appeal-intelligence-court-ruling-over-use-spying-power/412903/

Uncovering Webloc An Analysis of Penlink’s Ad-based Geolocation Surveillance Tech

U.S. customers include ICE, the U.S. military, Texas Department of Public Safety, DHS West Virginia, NYC district attorneys, and several police departments in Los Angeles, Dallas, Baltimore, Tucson, Durham and in smaller cities and counties like City of Elk Grove and Pinal County. Our research shows that intrusive and legally questionable ad-based surveillance (i.e. without a warrant or adequate oversight) is being used by military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies down to local police units in several countries across the globe. DHS used Tangles to compile dossiers on protesters, according to an internal DHS report. Meta mentioned Cobwebs Technologies prominently in its 2021 “Threat Report on the Surveillance-for-Hire Industry,” banning it from its platform. Meta observed accounts used by Cobwebs customers engaging in social engineering and tricking people into revealing information including “frequent targeting of activists, opposition politicians and government officials.”

https://citizenlab.ca/research/analysis-of-penlinks-ad-based-geolocation-surveillance-tech/#3-Webloc

Now you can break up with Big Tech at a bar: ‘cybersecurity disguised as a party’

Wine nights with friends, gatherings at a local lesbian bar and the February get-together are all designed for people who want to divest from companies like Google, Microsoft and Apple. At one of these parties, participants might sip cocktails and flirt with strangers while they learn how to get their personal data scrubbed from search engines or how to turn on their phone’s most advanced privacy settings. “When it comes to digital security, the idea is not ‘I have nothing to hide’,” Imani Thompson said, “but rather ‘I have something to protect’.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/big-tech-breakup-parties

The Slowing of Fourth Amendment Law, and Now Advisory Opinions

https://reason.com/volokh/2026/04/16/the-slowing-of-fourth-amendment-law-and-now-advisory-opinions-a-comment-on-chatrie-v-united-states/

Police Abuse of Access to Personal Data in the U.S. and its Global Implications

“Police officers in the US are able to look up information in government and private-sector databases without a warrant or any other court order. Police officers are human, and giving them warrantless access to large collections of data about people results in entirely foreseeable harms. The databases frequently hold flawed, outdated or simply erroneous information, but can be shockingly detailed in terms of the purported information they contain. Every move you make (in both the real world and online) can end up being recorded in databases that police officers can access, almost at will. Your license plate records, your history of other interactions with law enforcement, your family and business relationships, your social media materials. Information that used to require a trip to the archives can now be accessed with the touch of a button.”

https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5757/dangerous-data

https://privacyinternational.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/Dangerous%20Data%20-%20RSI%20and%20PI%20-%20April%202026_0.pdf

Police Drone Policy Debate Raises Broader Concerns Over Surveillance

https://pasadenanow.com/main/police-drone-policy-debate-raises-broader-concerns-over-surveillance

City of Urbana should pass police drone surveillance ordinance

https://www.smilepolitely.com/opinion/drones-over-c-u-urbana-should-pass-police-surveillance-ordinance/

San Antonio police to use drones to spy on people at Market Square Fiesta

https://archive.ph/b0tIb

Philadelphia police expand drone use, but with little oversight from above

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/philadelphia-police-expand-drone-use-but-with-little-oversight-from-above/ar-AA20Lc6G

Contract for Oakland County surveillance drones elicits boos

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2026/04/09/contract-for-police-drones-in-oakland-county-elicits-boos-taunts-flock-board-of-commissioners/89533824007/

Bristol police to purchase 12 surveillance drones

The motion on the table was to “(transfer) the balance of the existing Axon, Inc. contract to the new Axon 10 Officer Safety Plan, which provides upgrades to all currently contracted Axon products, including state-mandated Body Worn and Vehicle dash cameras, and interview room cameras. Upgrade to Taser 10, and adds 13 (license plate readers), 3 Skydio Drones as First Responder, 3 Patrol lead drones, and two Tactical Drones, 3 Axon Dedrone (drone radars), 1 Axon Dedrone Beyond (drone detection device), 250 Fusus CCTV Streams, Auror- Retail Crime Hub.”

https://bristoledition.org/blog/2026/04/16/city-council-approves-4m-police-tech-contract-despite-privacy-concerns/

Fresno police launch drones as a first responder surveillance program

https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/77268-fresno-police-announce-launch-of-drone-as-first-responder-dfr-program-video

Alameda police to double drone surveillance fleet

https://alamedapost.com/news/alameda-police-department-plans-double-drone-fleet/

California’s “Next Gen Road Safety Act” would let police use drones on high speed vehicle pursuits (could also arm drones)

https://sanfernandosun.com/2026/04/15/proposed-legislation-introduced-to-help-police-de-escalate-high-speed-pursuits/

World Cup to use Ondas surveillance drones to spy on fans across the country

https://ir.ondas.com/press-releases/detail/300/ondas-selected-to-deploy-counter-drone-protection-for-the

Video Shows Amazon Delivery Drone Dropping Package Directly Onto Concrete, Smashing Its Delicate Contents

https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/amazon-delivery-drone-smash

PRIVACY NIGHTMARE: Drone Delivery Is Expanding Quietly: And Most of the U.S. Hasn’t Noticed (Yet)

“Outside of the industry, most people still think of drone delivery as theoretical. That’s because drone delivery is expanding within defined service areas, often tied to specific partners such as healthcare providers or retailers. Because these networks are localized, most Americans have not encountered them directly. The result is a gap between perception and reality: limited public awareness despite ongoing operational growth.”

https://dronelife.com/2026/04/13/drone-delivery-is-expanding-quietly-and-most-of-the-u-s-hasnt-noticed-yet/

PRIVACY NIGHTMARE: Robots, drones could slash global food delivery costs to $1 per order

https://www.reuters.com/business/robots-drones-could-slash-global-food-delivery-costs-1-per-order-barclays-says-2026-04-15/

Texas A&M University and Texarkana College, receive $5M to build military drones

https://www.ktalnews.com/news/local-news/texarkana-military-drone-project-grant/

US Army trials unmanned Hunter Wolf robot with gun, radar in combat drills

https://interestingengineering.com/military/hunter-wolf-combat-robot-us-army

The Killer Robots Are Coming. The Battlefield Will Never Look the Same

https://archive.ph/rm5rl

Robot Dogs Patrolling Precious Hawaiian Crops as Food Crisis Deepens

https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-dog-food-crisis

Police Violence

Two Godley cops arrested in prostitution scheme

https://www.fox4news.com/news/godley-prostitution-arrest-ashley-ketcherside

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/arrest-of-wife-adds-new-twist-to-johnson-county-prostitution-case/4010805/

Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves

https://reason.com/2026/04/16/blue-power-and-the-rise-of-police-union-politics/

Judges Accepted Far Too Many Freebies in 2023 and 2024

“158 judges reported accepting 407 gifts valued at $934,947 in total, which included private plane flights, boating trips, free condo stays and even cash between 2023-2024.”

https://fixthecourt.com/2026/04/federal-judges-accepted-far-too-many-freebies-in-2023-and-2024/

Alabama Supreme Court to Cops: It’s OK To Force a Pastor Watering Flowers To Show His ID

https://reason.com/2026/04/17/alabama-supreme-court-to-cops-its-ok-to-force-a-pastor-watering-flowers-to-show-his-id/

Maine Supreme Court opposes proposed DOJ rule that would suspend investigations into federal attorneys

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/15/maine-high-court-opposes-proposed-doj-rule-on-investigations-into-federal-attorneys/

MA Supreme Court: Police cannot stop and search a vehicle based on a traffic infraction that happened 24 hours earlier

https://www.universalhub.com/2026/bad-boston-traffic-doesnt-excuse-police-waiting-day-pull-over-somebody

Texas AG Paxton sues city of Houston for banning police from detaining people for ICE

https://www.courthousenews.com/texas-ag-sues-houston-over-new-ice-ordinance/

NYC prosecutors see exonerations dip amid nationwide decline, data show

https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-prosecutors-see-exonerations-dip-amid-nyc-and-nationwide-decline-data-show

2025 saw the fewest exonerations since 2011

“Seventy-eight percent of exonerations last year were people of color. Sixty-one percent of the exonerees were Black. We know of official misconduct in 70, or 72% of exonerations that occurred in 2025.”

https://exonerationregistry.org/sites/exonerationregistry.org/files/documents/2025Exonerations.pdf

WTF? No evidence of affair between MA judge and prosecutor, court finds. Despite assigning himself to her cases

During judge Douglas Darnbrough’s absence, the special master’s report revealed that Darnbrough was secretly facing discipline for “unprofessional conduct that allowed for the perception of impropriety.” The special master noted that the lower court investigator “regretted not asking to look at ADA Karlyn Butler’s phone” during the initial investigation. Butler handed her phone in as part of the higher court’s investigation more than a year after Darnbrough did.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/04/13/new-bedford-court-douglas-darnbrough-no-affair-evidence

VT prosecutor arrested for DUI

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/15/grand-isle-countys-top-prosecutor-charged-with-dui/

Documentary exposes police junk science that sent man to death row

https://www.stmarynow.com/state/documentary-exposes-junk-science-sent-man-death-row#google_vignette

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/jimmie-duncan-innocence-death-row-louisiana-vacate-conviction/

Dallas police charged a man with murder based on hypnosis

https://www.texasobserver.org/riding-shotgun-the-unforgotten-podcast/

https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/amici-supporting-texas-prisoner-charles-flores-urge-u-s-supreme-court-to-hear-his-innocence-claims-including-those-based-on-discredited-investigative-hypnosis-evidence

NYC Black man who did 30 years for murder of Hofstra coach forced into confession by cops who denied him water

https://nypost.com/2026/04/14/us-news/man-who-did-30-years-for-murder-of-hofstra-coach-forced-into-confession-by-cops-who-denied-him-water-lawsuit/

Black Woman Sues Atlanta Cops, U.S. Govt for Wrongly Raiding Her Home in Search of Man Already in Jail

“It was unacceptable and illegal for officers to raid Cathy George’s home looking for someone who was already incarcerated.” said IJ Attorney John Korevec. “The government owes her an explanation and an apology. The government does not get to barge through your door without reason—and walk away without consequence.”

https://ij.org/press-release/atlanta-woman-sues-officers-u-s-government-for-wrongly-raiding-her-home-in-search-of-man-already-in-jail/

Man blinded by Los Angeles police during World Series Celebration gets $12M

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-16/jury-verdict-dodgers-fan-less-lethal-projectile

Appeals court: MO cops who destroyed an innocent family’s home weren’t required to verify the accuracy of “Find My” app to track down stolen Airpods

The St. Louis County officers eventually found the AirPods. They were not in house but in the street in front of the house. The officers concluded that Appellants had nothing to do with the Waffle House carjacking. Unfortunately for Appellants, by that point they had already been traumatized and embarrassed by the ordeal. Appellants argue that Detective Percich materially misstated a fact in the warrant affidavit when he stated that the stolen AirPods were at the residence of 1022 Wylin Court. They assert that Detective Percich, instead, should have been more precise about the limited precision of the Find My application. For example, Appellants suggest that Detective Percich could have included a screenshot from the Find My application; explained that the AirPods were on the street in front of 1022 Wylin Court; explained that the he could not say with certainty whether the AirPods were inside of 1022 Wylin Court; or explained that “the accuracy of the [Find My] app depends on the configuration of adjoining buildings, the location of cell towers, Bluetooth connectivity, WiFi and GPS networks, and other factors. While Detective Percich could have included these more detailed explanations, the Fourth Amendment did not require it.”

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/04/251668P.pdf

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Warrantless Trespassing by Alabama Game Wardens; Property Owners Will Appeal

“Alabama’s law that permits warrantless entry reflects a federal rule called the “open fields” doctrine. This doctrine comes from a 1924 Supreme Court case that wrongly held that private land—with the exception of a tiny ring directly around the home—is not entitled to Fourth Amendment protection. But the Alabama Constitution specifically protects against this type of warrantless entry.”

https://ij.org/press-release/court-dismisses-lawsuit-challenging-warrantless-trespassing-by-alabama-game-wardens-property-owners-will-appeal/

Denver Man Asks Supreme Court to Revive Fourth Amendment’s Warrant Requirements

https://ij.org/press-release/denver-man-asks-supreme-court-to-revive-fourth-amendments-warrant-requirements/

Boston City Council requests body cam footage from all Boston Police ‘deadly force’ incidents from 2025, 2026

https://archive.ph/SYhgk

NYPD cops on modified duty for repeatedly punching a Black man they mistook for a drug dealer

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/04/15/nypd-cops-on-modified-duty-for-wild-caught-on-video-brooklyn-liquor-store-clash-with-suspect/

Court Ends Historic Consent Decree That Stopped Pagedale’s Policing-for-Profit Scheme

https://ij.org/press-release/federal-court-ends-historic-consent-decree-that-stopped-pagedales-policing-for-profit-scheme/

BusPatrol The School Bus Camera Company Blanketing America in Tickets

BusPatrol has attached its cameras to about 35,000 buses in 24 US states and more than 350 school districts. Public records show that, because of municipality contracts with BusPatrol, many local law enforcement agencies have spent years effectively acting as revenue generators for a for-profit company, ticketing thousands of drivers and sending most of the funds back to BusPatrol. Citations often remain high year after year, despite the company’s promises they will decline. Municipalities can wind up keeping very little money from their partnerships because of the company’s high monthly technology fees.

https://archive.ph/DNMyi

Tennessee Lawmakers Change School Threats Law After Kids Arrested for Making Jokes

https://www.propublica.org/article/tennessee-school-threats-law-changed

TN school cops are are arresting, zip-tying and strip searching students for making jokes

https://archive.ph/1lSRA

PA state trooper pleads guilty to creating AI-generated porn, possessing child sexual abuse material and secretly filming women

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/pennsylvania-police-ai-generated-porn-stephen-kamnik/

Police Corruption: MA State Trooper Lt. who Oversaw Karen Read Investigation Retires

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/04/13/state-police-lt-who-oversaw-karen-read-investigation-retires/

Karen Read opposes giving MA state trooper Michael Proctor chance to ‘refresh his memory’ ahead of deposition

https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/04/13/karen-read-opposes-giving-michael-proctor-chance-to-refresh-his-memory-ahead-of-deposition/

TX cop sentenced to 15 years for 2024 fatal crash (he was driving 100 MPH without lights or siren)

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/crime/2026/03/27/547343/blademir-viveros-missouri-city-police-sentencing/

VA sheriff’s department sued over fatal spike strip accident

https://archive.ph/BrwFt

DC cop charged with child porn, solicitation of a minor

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-officer-charged-with-child-porn-solicitation-of-a-minor/4090893/

VT sheriff facing more sex crime charges, including soliciting prostitution

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/16/windsor-county-sheriff-facing-more-sex-crime-charges-including-soliciting-prostitution/

NYPD cops spied on female officers through locker-room peephole

https://nypost.com/2026/04/18/us-news/nypd-boss-calls-cop-sgt-a-and-sgt-lips-suit-claims/

IN sheriff and his wife a jail matron wife charged with collecting $200k in disability checks

https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/sheriff-jail-matron-felony-charges/

A CT Police Chief’s $4.5M Gambling Secret

https://archive.ph/uiH51

University NH police chief resigns following DUI

https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/14/steven-lee-resigns-portsmouth-dui/

MA state trooper who drunkenly crashed his police cruiser into a van, killing a motorist, pleads not guilty

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2026/04/15/suspended-state-police-sgt-pleads-not-guilty-deadly-woburn-crash/

MA State Police knew trooper Scott Quigley drank before crash and kept it hidden

https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/04/17/massachusetts-state-police-knew-scott-quigley-drank-before-crash-prosecutors-say/

CA deputy caught scrolling a dating app during standoff

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/riverside-county-sheriff-chad-bianco-swat-deputy-dating-app-reaction-embarrassed/

KY cop arrested on domestic violence charges

https://www.wkyt.com/2026/04/15/lexington-police-officer-arrested-domestic-violence-charge/

MI cop arrested for DUI, hit-and-run accident

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/04/12/off-duty-detroit-police-officer-arrested-for-suspected-dui-after-sterling-heights-crash/

OH community leaders hold news conference on video of cop pushing a 15-year-old girl during arrest

https://www.13abc.com/2026/04/13/council-holding-news-conference-video-tpd-officer-pushing-teen-during-arrest/

12 NYC corrections officers stole $228K in fraudulent pay

https://nypost.com/2026/04/15/us-news/disgraced-nyc-corrections-officers-stole-228k-in-fraudulent-pay-da/

UT cop ticketed for crashing police cruiser while on-duty

https://gephardtdaily.com/local/st-george-police-officer-cited-after-on-duty-traffic-incident/

https://www.goacta.org/2026/04/aaup-backed-toolkit-urges-students-to-create-a-crisis-on-campus-over-ice-ties/

AI NIGHTMARE: Your entire browsing history, private messages and financial details could be released for anyone to read

The program – a cutting edge, so-called ‘frontier AI‘ named Claude Mythos Preview – then informed the stunned Anthropic worker with what seemed like a boast that it had posted ‘details of its exploit’ on publicly accessible websites. Stated plainly, the AI could hack much of the most important machinery of the internet – the software that now controls power grids, water supplies, hospitals, defence systems and transport and retail networks all over the world, as well as an unimaginable quantity of personal data for billions of human beings. In short, people’s entire browsing history, their private messages and email exchanges could potentially be exposed by this AI, along with their personal, medical and financial details

https://archive.ph/XICWP

Anthropic’s most powerful AI model Mythos Preview is too dangerous for public release

https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/04/08/why-anthropics-most-powerful-ai-model-mythos-preview-is-too-dangerous-for-public-release

https://cybernews.com/security/anthropic-mythos-used-exclusively-for-cyberdefense/

D.C. Appeals Court allows Trump’s White House ballroom construction to continue

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/11/nx-s1-5782084/dc-appeals-court-trump-ballroom-bunker

Trump’s World Liberty Financial uses 5 billion WLFI to borrow $75M from a platform its adviser co-founded

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/04/09/trump-s-world-liberty-financial-borrows-usd75-million-against-its-own-token-trapping-depositors-on-dolomite

Crypto Investor Justin Sun at Center of Trump Corruption Allegations Claims He’s The ‘Victim’

Justin Sun has called himself the “first and single largest victim” of World Liberty Financial.

https://gizmodo.com/crypto-investor-at-center-of-trump-corruption-allegations-now-sees-himself-as-victim-2000745483

The Official Trump token hit an all-time low in March 2026

https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-backlash-crypto-tokens-crash

Ford cars will soon be able to read your lips

https://fordauthority.com/2026/04/future-ford-convertibles-may-get-special-lip-reading-mode-when-top-is-down/

Cars will have facial recognition/blood alcohol and emotion detection sensors

https://bmva-archive.org.uk/bmvc/2025/assets/papers/Paper_675/paper.pdf

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-43662-x

‘The Constitution demands better’: Judge orders Pentagon to restore press access

https://www.courthousenews.com/the-constitution-demands-better-judge-orders-pentagon-to-restore-press-access/

How a DOJ Opinion Could Erase Evidence of Election Suppression and Solidify Presidential Authoritarianism

https://www.cato.org/blog/paper-coup-how-justice-department-opinion-could-erase-evidence-election-suppression-solidify

CA Supreme Court orders GOP sheriff to pause election investigation and preserve seized ballots

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/california-supreme-court-orders-gop-sheriff-to-pause-election-probe-and-preserve-seized-ballots

Conservative election group drove California Republican sheriff’s ballot seizure

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/chad-bianco-search-warrants-22195911.php

A GOP-aligned group is using Klan imagery to target Black voters

https://archive.ph/6ee8I

NH House votes for review of Republican lawmaker’s ‘hate-filled’ social media posts

At issue for Republican Rep. Travis Corcoran — who maintains a busy schedule of social media traffic — are recent posts on X, in which he called for a “final solution” in response to a karaoke night invitation from a Jewish lawmaker, and another in which he talked of deporting a fellow lawmaker who was born in the Philippines: “She has to go back,” he wrote.

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-09/nhpolitics-nh-politics-travis-corcoran-house-legislature-review

Republicans in states across the country are attacking citizen-sponsored initiatives
“They cannot win fairly so the are changing the rules of the game,” said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which supports state groups trying to pass citizen initiatives. “They don’t cancel democracy outright, but they create a system that is so cumbersome and so expensive and hard that you’ve taken the teeth out of the will of the people and their ability to make change.”

https://archive.ph/Dqy1V

Republican Tony Gonzales asked campaign aide for nude photos, sex in 2020

https://archive.ph/5ybiz

Trump pick wins race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress

https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-pick-wins-race-to-replace-marjorie-taylor-greene-in-congress/

FOIA Requests Point to New Pressure Over Abortion Drugs

“The next phase of America’s abortion debate may not play out in courtrooms or state legislatures – but, instead, in the inboxes of federal regulators. A growing number of Freedom of Information Act requests targeting abortion-inducing drugs suggests that the fight is moving toward the FDA and the internal decision-making behind widely used medications like mifepristone.”

https://lawstreetmedia.com/insights/foia-requests-point-to-new-pressure-over-abortion-drugs/

Abortion clinics are closing nationwide. Could urgent care help fill the gap?

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/08/nx-s1-5773333/planned-parenthood-urgent-care-medication-abortion-rural

Eika Kirk: women were “made to be mothers”

https://www.irishstar.com/news/politics/erika-kirk-says-women-made-36967710

DISGUSTED: Appeals Court bows to Supreme Court in DOGE Social Security data fight

https://www.courthousenews.com/fourth-circuit-bows-to-supreme-court-in-doge-social-security-data-fight/

X is a Preferred Tool for American Propaganda. What Does It Mean?
https://www.techpolicy.press/x-is-a-preferred-tool-for-american-propaganda-what-does-it-mean/

The Chilling Role of ChatGPT in Mass Shootings and Other Violence

https://www.motherjones.com/media/2026/04/chatgpt-tumbler-ridge-fsu-openai-chatbots-mass-shootings/

Stalking victim sues OpenAI, claims ChatGPT fueled her abuser’s delusions and ignored her warnings

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/10/stalking-victim-sues-openai-claims-chatgpt-fueled-her-abusers-delusions-and-ignored-her-warnings/

OpenAI Says Elon Musk Is ‘Injecting Chaos’ with Recent Legal Maneuver

https://gizmodo.com/openai-says-elon-musk-is-injecting-chaos-with-recent-legal-maneuver-2000745384

Trump officials may be encouraging banks to test Anthropic’s Mythos model

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/12/trump-officials-may-be-encouraging-banks-to-test-anthropics-mythos-model/

Mercor, a $10 billion AI startup data breach

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/09/after-data-breach-10b-valued-startup-mercor-is-having-a-month/

Meta Pauses Work With Mercor After Data Breach Puts AI Industry Secrets at Risk

https://www.wired.com/story/meta-pauses-work-with-mercor-after-data-breach-puts-ai-industry-secrets-at-risk/

Senator launches inquiry into 8 tech giants for failures to adequately report CSAM

“Meta, Amazon AI Services, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, X.AI, Grindr and Roblox submitted more than 17 million reports of suspected online child exploitation in 2025, Grassley said in a press release, but allegedly failed to provide NCMEC with important location data and other information on users and suspects.”

https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-releases-new-and-disturbing-information-on-online-child-exploitation-presses-tech-giants-for-answers

CORRUPTION WARNING: Tesla Escapes Recall As NHTSA Closes Investigation Into ‘Actually Smart Summon’ Crashes

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70941710/tesla-avoids-recall-nhtsa-closes-probe-into-actually-smart-summon-crashes/

AI can design and run thousands of lab experiments without human hands. Humanity isn’t ready for the new risks

https://theconversation.com/ai-can-design-and-run-thousands-of-lab-experiments-without-human-hands-humanity-isnt-ready-for-the-new-risks-this-brings-to-biology-279191

There are more AI health tools than ever—but how well do they work?

“There is a reason that these tools exist and they have a position in the overall landscape,” says Girish Nadkarni, chief AI officer​ at the Mount Sinai Health System. “That’s because access to health care is hard, and it’s particularly hard for certain populations.”

https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/03/30/1134795/there-are-more-ai-health-tools-than-ever-but-how-well-do-they-work/

Meta’s New AI Asked for My Raw Health Data—and Gave Me Terrible Advice

https://archive.ph/1qLPE

Meta Is Removing Ads That Seek to Recruit Clients for Social Media Addiction Litigation

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/meta-social-media-addiction-ads

DOT claims they’re not using Anthropic AI, yet

https://fedscoop.com/transportation-department-modernization-ai-chatbot/

Trump administration’s secrecy on billions of dollars in health deals alarms experts

https://archive.ph/vYEMq

Trump administration personnel agency is asking for federal workers’ medical records

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-federal-workers-medical-records/

Trump’s labor plan is a massive 401(k) greed grab for Wall Street

https://archive.ph/0FOBI

GOPD Lawmakers Passing Bills to Shield Oil Companies From Climate Lawsuits

https://www.propublica.org/article/climate-change-alec-leonard-leo-lawsuits-fossil-fuel-oil-gas-immunity

SHAMEFUL: ME state supreme court calls Democratic ranked-choice voting expansion unconstitutional

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/04/06/politics/state-politics/maine-supreme-judicial-court-ranked-choice-voting-expansion-unconstitutional/

Republican’s Prosecution of Smartmatic Voting Machines

“What has Smartmatic done to run afoul of the White House? In reality, nothing—apart from providing ballot-marking devices to Los Angeles County for use in the 2020 race for the White House. But in the wild world of MAGA election denialism, Smartmatic is responsible for the rigging of voting systems around the world, including in the United States to steal that contest from Trump. The success of the company’s new motion depends on whether it can convince a judge that prosecutors are targeting Smartmatic not because of the facts of the case but because of this fantasy.”

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-prosecution-of-smartmatic

NH Republican governor bans student IDs from being eligible to vote

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-06/nh-newhampshire-voting-student-identification-school-id

Trump’s SAVE America Act would end voter registration drives nationwide

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-s-save-america-act-would-end-voter-registration-drives-nationwide/ar-AA20atPn

Trump ​administration cannot force universities in 17 states to turn over race-related data

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-cant-make-colleges-provide-race-related-data-judge-rules-2026-04-04/

Wisconsin city passes nation’s first anti-data center referendum

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/08/wisconsin-city-passes-nations-first-anti-data-center-referendum-00863432

Convicted spyware maker Bryan Fleming (pcTattletale) avoids jail at sentencing

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/convicted-spyware-maker-bryan-fleming-avoids-jail-at-sentencing/

Roughly 110,000 scientific citations were fabricated by AI in 2025

“ As a rough estimate, if the rate of 65 publications with at least one invalid reference out of some 4,000 publications analyzed holds across the academic literature, it would suggest that more than 110,000 of the 7 million or so scholarly publications from 2025 contain invalid references. “

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00969-z

DISGUSTED: Appeals Court declines to block Pentagon’s Anthropic blacklisting for now

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/08/d-c-circuit-rejects-anthropic-plea-to-pause-supply-chain-risk-label-00864880

Anthropic says pressure can push Claude into cheating and blackmail

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3106531/anthropic-says-pressure-can-push-claude-into-cheating-and-blackmail.html

AMD’s senior director of AI thinks ‘Claude has regressed’ and that it ‘cannot be trusted to perform complex engineering’

https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/06/anthropic_claude_code_dumber_lazier_amd_ai_director/

Anthropic Teams Up With Its Rivals to Keep AI From Hacking Everything

https://archive.ph/jfxDr

Sam Altman’s Open AI May Control Our Future—Can He Be Trusted?

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/13/sam-altman-may-control-our-future-can-he-be-trusted

Secret Service is embedding AI experts across the agency

https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/04/secret-service-embedding-ai-experts-across-agency/412646/?oref=ng-home-top-story

OpenAI Releases Its Vision for Reorganizing Society Around Superintelligence

https://openai.com/index/industrial-policy-for-the-intelligence-age/

OpenAI’s Altman releases blueprint for taxing, regulating artificial intelligence

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5817906-openai-ai-policy-recommendations

Trump Admin To Court: Don’t Strike Down Video Privacy Act

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/414084/trump-admin-to-court-dont-strike-down-video-priv.html

YouTube Creators Sue Amazon For Using YouTube Videos To Train AI

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/youtube-creators-sue-amazon-alleging-it-used-youtube-videos-to-train-ai-model/281-5cdc0c75-e866-4fe5-990a-e3364033d4a8

Google is secretly using your email messages to train AI

The question isn’t whether Google reads your emails — it’s whether you’re comfortable with how that data is being used and whether your current settings reflect your actual preferences.

https://wtop.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/04/column-is-google-using-my-email-messages-to-train-ai/

Microsoft Says You’re Not Supposed to Take Copilot’s Advice Seriously

https://www.pcmag.com/news/copilot-terms-claim-microsofts-ai-is-for-entertainment-purposes-only

AT&T and Verizon asked the Supreme Court to vacate more than $100M in privacy fines

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/414241/att-verizon-press-scotus-to-nix-privacy-fines.html

SCOTUS Should Uphold Telecoms’ Privacy Fines, Watchdogs Argue

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/413991/scotus-should-uphold-telecoms-privacy-fines-watc.html

About 80% of breast cancer biopsies turn out benign

https://theconversation.com/about-80-of-breast-cancer-biopsies-turn-out-benign-new-imaging-tool-promises-clearer-diagnoses-and-fewer-biopsies-277070

Trump Administration Finalizes 2.48% Medicare Advantage Payment Hike For 2027

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/healthcare/articles/trump-administration-finalizes-2-48-213132360.html

Trump Administration Considers Medicare Privatization

https://www.commondreams.org/news/medicare-advantage-default-enrollment

Californians sue Sutter Health and MemorialCare over AI tool that records doctor visits

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/04/californians-sue-over-ai-tool-that-records-doctor-visits/

Low customer trust is quietly undermining utility digital payment programs

https://www.utilitydive.com/spons/low-customer-trust-is-quietly-undermining-utility-digital-payment-programs/815931/

LinkedIn Hit With Class-Action Lawsuits Over Browser-Extension Scanning

https://www.pcmag.com/news/linkedin-hit-with-class-action-lawsuits-over-browser-extension-scanning

Your TV is secretly watching you. Here’s how to stop it

https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/your-tv-is-secretly-watching-you-heres-how-to-stop-it

MA judge allows class-action suit against Baystate Health patient data sharing to proceed

https://theshoestring.org/2026/03/24/judge-allows-class-action-suit-against-baystate-health-to-proceed/

Court Allows Sharing of Medical Information Claim to Proceed Under ECPA

https://dataprivacy.foxrothschild.com/2026/04/articles/general-privacy-data-security-news-developments/court-allows-sharing-of-medical-information-claim-to-proceed-under-ecpa/

John Deere to Pay $99 Million in Monumental Right-to-Repair Settlement

https://www.thedrive.com/news/john-deere-to-pay-99-million-in-monumental-right-to-repair-settlement

State & Local Privacy News

More states are taking privacy seriously, but their work isn’t done

https://statescoop.com/nascio-privacy-report-state-government-2026/

Oklahoma and Alabama enact weak privacy laws

https://epic.org/oklahoma-alabama-enact-weak-privacy-laws/

ME- How the state’s elite private colleges sold Wabanaki land to bankroll early construction

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/03/31/how-maines-elite-private-colleges-sold-wabanaki-land-to-bankroll-early-construction/

ME- Fear of the unknown toll on businesses again likely to sink data privacy bill

https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/04/03/fear-of-the-unknown-toll-on-businesses-again-likely-to-sink-data-privacy-bill/

NH- SHAMEFUL: Judges push back on proposal to make judicial evaluations public

https://indepthnh.org/2026/04/08/judges-oppose-aspects-of-hb-1130-which-would-make-their-evaluations-public/

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-07/nh-judges-judicial-evaluations-public-newhampshire

NH- The Office of the Child Advocate alleges abuse, punitive treatment at the Sununu Youth Services Center

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-10/watchdog-alleges-ydc-abuse-punitive-treatment-nh-youth-detention-center

NH- Lawmakers consider another proposal to allow school libraries to ban books, other materials

https://www.wmur.com/article/bill-book-materials-challenge-nh-schools-4826/70968307

Big Brother Warning: MA- House Passes Social Media Age Verification Digital ID Bill

https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2026-04-08/mass-house-passes-bill-to-ban-kids-under-14-from-social-media

MA- North Andover police to wear body cams

https://archive.ph/bZb0t

MA- More police officers are being prosecuted. Experts have theories as to why

“There needs to be some very significant cultural changes in the police field or these things are going to continue,” said Dennis Galvin, a retired State Police major and president of the Massachusetts Association of Professional Law Enforcement. “The system is in failure mode,” Galvin said. “State Police operate almost entirely out of the public eye and public view,” Tom Nolan a retired Boston police officer said, making it easier for misconduct to be swept under the rug. “There is a mandate for a significant cultural change.”

https://archive.ph/yOVDT

MA- The Department of Public Health settles contact-tracing app lawsuit, agrees to delete data SIX years later

https://statescoop.com/massnotify-covid-contact-tracing-app-settlement-ncla/

MA- What it means that a state ‘Open AI assistant’ will handle your personal data

“For an AI assistant to be useful to a caseworker at the Department of Children and Families, or a benefits processor at MassHealth, or a clerk at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, it needs access to the data those workers handle. Tax records. Medical histories. RMV files. Housing and rental information. Benefits documentation. The Commonwealth holds some of the most sensitive personal information of its more than 7 million residents — and under the Healey administration’s three-year, roughly $4.3-million-a-year contract with OpenAI, all of that is now in the orbit of a private AI system.”

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/the-codcast/what-it-means-that-a-state-ai-assistant-will-handle-your-data/

MA- The state’s Open AI program is more than meets the eye

https://theshoestring.org/2026/04/08/massachusetts-ai-program-is-more-than-meets-the-eye/

MA- Opposition to data centers grows in cities and towns

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/04/06/data-centers-ai-massachusetts-pollution-pushback

NY- Rochester City council ignores privacy concerns over Flock Safety cameras

https://archive.ph/46q5P

PA- Carbon County to install license plate reader in public parking lot

https://www.tnonline.com/20260407/carbonoks-platereader/

MI- Use of Flock Safety Increases Across the State Police As Police Ignore Privacy Concerns

Statewide, more than 180 law enforcement agencies ― nearly a third of all agencies in Michigan ― now use Flock Safety technology, according to data compiled by the company. “They are entitled to their opinion, however or for whatever reason they arrived at that opinion. However, this legislative body represents all 70,158 residents of Waterford Township, and the men and women of the Waterford Police Department as well,” Waterford Township Police Chief Scott Underwood told the Board of Trustees.

https://archive.ph/AvTHC

MN- Some Twin Cities suburbs shut off license plate cameras over data sharing concerns

https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-suburbs-quit-flock-license-plate-readers/601659518

IL- The Biometric Surveillance Act would ban police facial recognition

“House Bill 5521, introduced by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, creates the Illinois Biometric Surveillance Act, which would prevent law enforcement from accessing, obtaining, or using any biometric identification system.”

https://www.mystateline.com/news/illinois-lawmakers-introduce-sweeping-ban-on-law-enforcement-use-of-biometric-surveillance/

WI- Oshkosh city council to vote on renewing Flock Safety cameras

https://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/news/local/oshkosh/2026/04/07/oshkosh-flock-cameras-contract-renewal-april-21-vote-privacy-public-safety/89482966007/

Armageddon Prose

WATCH: Governor Declares Texas ‘a Land For the Indian Community’

Texas Governor Greg Abbot in a recently resurfaced and newly viral clip from 2024, to a room full of migrants enjoying a pagan ceremony at the governor’s mansion…

Read more

a month ago · 20 likes · 8 comments · Benjamin Bartee

CA- Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office data breach (337K files)

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-07/lapd-records-suspected-hack

CA- Palm Springs Police Open 42-7 Realtime Intelligence Drone Center

https://inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=79978

https://dronelife.com/2026/04/09/inside-the-coachella-valleys-plan-to-centralize-dfr-operations/

WA- Pullyap police to continue to use Flock Safety cameras despite ban

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/puyallup-herald/ph-news/article315257166.html

World Privacy News

DISGUSTED: Vice President Vance Visits Hungary to Support Viktor Orban Ahead of Election

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vice-president-vance-visits-hungary-boost-orban-ahead-pivotal-election-2026-04-07/

Germany accuses JD Vance of hypocrisy over claim that EU meddled in Hungary’s election

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-rebuke-jd-vance-claim-eu-interferes-hungary-election/

British drone circled Lebanon hours before Israeli massacre of hundreds of civilians

https://thecradle.co/articles/british-drone-circled-lebanon-hours-before-israeli-massacre-of-hundreds-of-civilians-report

Israel’s death penalty law has little to do with criminal justice and everything to do with ethno‑nationalism

https://theconversation.com/israels-death-penalty-law-has-little-to-do-with-criminal-justice-and-everything-to-do-with-ethno-nationalism-279969

Eurail B.V. data breach affected 300K people

https://www.securityweek.com/300000-people-impacted-by-eurail-data-breach/

Basic-Fit data breach affected 1M members

https://www.reuters.com/business/basic-fit-says-data-breach-exposes-details-200000-members-netherlands-2026-04-13/

Austrian police warn of sophisticated digital ‘ID-Austria’ phishing scam

https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-04-04/at/austrian-police-warn-of-sophisticated-id-austria-phishing-scam-as-thousands-of-digital-ids-near-expiry/

PRIVACY NIGHTMARE: The IATA claims airport facial recognition and digital IDs make air travel easier

“We have proven that digital identity for international travel works securely and efficiently. For travelers to benefit from this important modernization, governments must accelerate efforts to issue and accept Digital Travel Credentials—secure digital versions of passports. The result will be stronger security, smoother journeys, and greater efficiency,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/2026-04-08-01/

Ryanair CEO calls EES ‘a shit show’ with 4-hour passport queues

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/ryanair-ceo-michael-o-leary-ees-669gzv7qw

UK airports forced to manually check passports after facial recognition E-Gate outage

https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-04-08/gb/heathrow-and-gatwick-grind-to-a-halt-after-nationwide-e-gate-failure/

Russia- Putin’s Attempt To Block VPNs Causes Major Banking Failure

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/13/whoops-russias-attempt-to-block-vpns-causes-major-banking-failure/

Belgium- Government Awards Automated Biometric Identification System Renewal Contract to IDEMIA

https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/235576-2026

UK- Officials from BAE Systems, Leonardo and Thales sit on university advisory committees

https://www.declassifieduk.org/arms-industry-given-direct-influence-over-university-courses/

IRL- Government’s New Surveillance Bill Opens Door to Spyware Abuse

“Ireland’s proposal fits into a worrying broader European and global trend towards the normalization of spyware use,” says Aljosa Ajanovic, policy advisor at European Digital Rights (EDRi), which currently leads a pan-European campaign to protect encryption and ban spyware.

https://www.techpolicy.press/irelands-new-surveillance-bill-opens-door-to-spyware-abuse/

Kazakhstan- Court to Issue Verdict for Human Rights Activists Who Burned CCP Leader’s Portrait

https://www.rferl.org/a/china-kazakhstan-xinjiang-trial-central-asia-atajurt/33729266.html

Sri Lanka- The Ministry of Digital Economy wants to digitize all government transactions by 2030

https://www.lankatalks.com/post/a-decisive-step-towards-driving-sri-lanka-into-a-digital-economy-access-unlocked-v2-0

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/iran-president-trumps-apocalyptic-threats-of-large-scale-civilian-devastation-demand-urgent-global-action-to-prevent-atrocity-crimes/

Pro-Iran Explosive Media trolls Trump with AI-generated Lego cartoons

https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/pro-iran-explosive-media-trolls-trump-with-ai-generated-lego-cartoons

Pentagon Threatened Pope After He Condemned Trump’s Military Attacks
https://newrepublic.com/post/208820/pentagon-threatened-pope-criticized-donald-trump

https://archive.ph/kI1ys

Trump posts image of himself as Jesus after attacking Pope Leo

https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/trump-jesus-truth-social-post-pope-leo-image-fnjcwtw77

Trump’s Christ Cosplay Ignites Furious MAGA Backlash

https://archive.ph/gMDFr

‘Gross Blasphemy!’ MAGA Die-Hards Deliver Rare Rebuke of Trump for Posting ‘Unacceptable’ Meme Depicting Himself as Jesus

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gross-blasphemy-maga-die-hards-105840311.html

How Trump and MAGA’s favorite strongman Viktor Orbán finally lost

https://www.vox.com/politics/485521/hungary-election-results-2026-viktor-orban-peter-magyar

Russia, China block UN Security Council resolution on Strait of Hormuz over failure to blame U.S. and Israel

Explaining Russia’s vote, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that the resolution presented Iranian actions as the sole source of regional tensions while illegal attacks by the United States and Israel were “not mentioned at all”.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167261

White House Warns Staff Against Insider Trading Using Iran War Information

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/10/iran-war-prediction-markets-white-house.html

Melania Trump’s Easter message to kids in war zones: Trump is bombing Iran ‘for their future’

Melania Trump Admits To Going To Parties With Epstein and Trump

“Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein from time to time since overlapping in social circles is common in New York City and Palm Beach.”

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/09/politics/melania-trump-epstein-statement

The Man Who Links Melania Directly to Epstein, Trump’s Special Envoy Paolo Zampolli

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-other-man-who-links-melania-directly-to-epstein/

Why Melania’s Epstein Bomb Is Only the Beginning

https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-melania-trumps-epstein-congress-bomb-is-only-the-beginning/

Trump promises mass pardons to staff before leaving office

https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-promised-mass-pardons-top-193341485.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-promises-mass-pardons-to-staff-before-leaving-office/ar-AA20BoB1

White House Unveils L’Arc de Trump: A 250-foot Golden Arch

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/trump-triumphal-arch-commission-plan-00867401

Trump touts newly released plans for D.C. triumphal arch

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/11/nx-s1-5782027/trump-triumphal-arch-plans-architecture

Trump’s White House Ballroom Will Be Built With Foreign Steel From ArcelorMittal
https://archive.ph/qhwe5

Kristi Noem’s $70M luxury jet to be repurposed for Melania Trump’s personal use

https://www.newsweek.com/melania-trump-now-has-access-to-kristi-noems-70-million-jet-report-11795792

U.N. says Cuba needs humanitarian aid after Trump blocked oil supplies

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167254

US Disapproval of Israel, Netanyahu Hits All-Time High

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/07/negative-views-of-israel-netanyahu-continue-to-rise-among-americans-especially-young-people/

NATO Chief told to stop flattering Trump as he visits him in DC

“I would hope that Rutte remembers he represents all members of NATO, not just one” country, said Nathalie Loiseau, a centrist French lawmaker on the European Parliament’s defense committee, in a text message. “I would like him to tell Trump what he can expect from NATO allies (support if [the] U.S. is attacked) and what he shouldn’t (participation in a war without a reason and without a strategy). That would make Rutte’s reputation improve and maybe help Trump understand.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/07/trump-rutte-toughest-test-yet-00862128

NATO chief called Trump ‘Daddy’ in 2025

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/nato-chief-calls-trump-daddy-00423485

ICE Wants To Arrest 400K People Every Year

“ICE more than doubled its fiscal 2025 goal with 167,651 arrests of individuals with criminal convictions or with pending criminal charges, a 106% jump from the prior year, the agency said in the report published Friday. The DHS unit has since increased the future annual target to 400,000 arrests.”

https://fedscoop.com/ice-arrest-goals-technology-data-sharing-performance-report/

Feds claim there was no policy change to re-arrest immigrants

https://www.courthousenews.com/feds-claim-there-was-no-policy-change-to-re-arrest-immigrants/

ICE Uses “Kavanaugh Stops” To Racially Profile New York Immigrants

https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/09/ice-lawsuit-new-york-racial-profiling/

5.5M People In The U.S. Are Under Correctional Control

“The U.S. confines nearly 2 million people in prisons, jails, and detention centers, a fact which we only know by piecing together data from siloed parts of the criminal legal system. But even this number does not capture the full picture of the U.S. system of mass punishment, which ensnares 5.5 million people in incarceration, community supervision, and other forms of control and surveillance. The vast majority of people in the mass punishment system are on community supervision, either under probation (3 million people) or parole (536,000 people).”

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/correctionalcontrol2026.html

Trump’s Trade Deficit Holds Near Record Levels

https://www.statista.com/chart/8419/us-trade-deficit/

Trump Calls Tucker Carlson: ‘A Low IQ Person’ and A ‘Fool’

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/04/07/trump-calls-tucker-carlson-low-iq-person-after-former-ally-slams-vile-iran-threats/

Trump threatens to jail journalist who reported on crew’s rescue in Iran if they don’t reveal source

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/06/trump-iran-pilot-rescue-media-threat-00860508

Kash Patel Announces First Arrest After Trump Threats Against Media Over Crew Rescue In Iran

https://www.thedailybeast.com/keystone-kash-patel-announces-first-arrest-after-donald-trumps-threats-against-media/

Trump Calls CNN Report on Iran Ceasefire Statement “Fake News”

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-calls-factual-cnn-report-on-iran-ceasefire-statement-fake-news/

Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threaten legal action against CNN for reporting on Iran’s ceasefire

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-calls-factual-cnn-report-on-iran-ceasefire-statement-fake-news/

https://deadline.com/2026/04/cnn-trump-iran-statement-1236784202/

Top US prosecutor John Kelly exposed for hidden Epstein ties as abuse report stalled

https://www.koat.com/article/jeffrey-epsteins-little-black-book-new-mexico/46620117

Pam Bondi defies House subpoena over Epstein files

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bondi-deposition-subpoena-house-oversight-committee-epstein/

Congresswoman Mace Blasts Trump DOJ Over Bondi’s Refusal To Skip Testifying About Epstein

“Our motion to subpoena Pam Bondi, which was passed by the Oversight Committee, was for Bondi by name, not by title, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace said.

https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/mace-standing-firm-after-reports-indicate-bondi-to-skip-testifying-on-epstein-files-doj-subpoena-attorney-general-oversight

Trump’s DOJ Attempts to Shield Its Lawyers from Accountability for Misconduct
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/justice-department-attempts-shield-its-lawyers-accountability-misconduct

Trump Asks Appeals Court to Dismiss NY Fraud Case

https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-asks-new-yorks-top-court-to-toss-civil-fraud-judgment/

Trump’s Acting AG Defends President’s ‘Right’ And ‘Duty’ To Investigate His Enemies

https://archive.ph/8uVd1
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/acting-doj-chief-blanche-says-trump-has-right-influence-investigations-2026-04-07/

Trump’s DOJ Is Investigating Star Witness Against Trump

https://archive.ph/S9Zsm

Trump is hauling in even more Pulitzer Prize Board members to testify under oath

https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/trump-ignites-discovery-by-forcing-more-pulitzer-prize-board-testimony-under-oath-demands-communications-about-fusion-gps-meeting/

A Redditor Criticized ICE. Trump Is Trying to Unmask Them by Dragging the Company to a Secret Grand Jury

David Greene, EFF’s senior counsel knew of no examples during the recent wave of immigration enforcement-related investigations in which a leading tech company has been called to appear before one of the secret panels. Free speech protections are at their weakest in the context of a grand jury, he explained: The proceedings are not adversarial; their purpose is to permit a prosecutor to file charges. “We should be very, very, very concerned that they’ve now taken one of these to a grand jury,” said Greene. “It’s something to be taken very seriously.”

https://archive.ph/spTly

Trump’s Next AG Will Probably Be An Election Denier

https://archive.ph/rTq94

Ken Klippenstein

Exclusive: FBI’s New Political Pre-Crime Center

President Trump's budget request to Congress contains the largest counterterrorism spending increase in years — and buried inside it is a new FBI-led center dedicated to “proactively” hunting Americans the government classifies as so-called domestic terrorists…

Read more

a month ago · 1062 likes · 29 comments · Ken Klippenstein

Governor DeSantis signs Florida law to label groups as terrorists and expel student supporters

The law, criticized by free speech advocates, allows a top official at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to designate a group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization, with the governor and three other members of the Florida Cabinet approving or rejecting the designation.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/04/06/desantis-signs-bill-allowing-state-officials-to-issue-domestic-terrorist-designations/

Pro-MAGA town in PA revolts over plans for 7,500-person DHS detention center

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/ice-detention-center-tremont-pennsylvania-dhs.html

Inspection Reveals Dozens Of Violations In El Paso ICE Detention Center

https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/10/no-surprise-here-inspection-reveals-dozens-of-violations-in-el-paso-ice-detention-center/

DHS Won’t Rule Out ICE Facility in New Hampshire

https://indepthnh.org/2026/04/10/dhs-wont-rule-out-ice-facility-in-new-hampshire/

DHS secretary Mullin threatens to shutdown airport customs in sanctuary cities

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5818744-mullin-customs-enforcement-cities-partnership-airports/

300 Habeas Cases in Which the Trump Administration Have Defied Court Orders

“The 300 cases represented here do not represent a comprehensive list of civil litigations in which the Trump administration has violated court orders. They are, for starters, limited to habeas corpus cases in the immigration context. And they don’t even represent a comprehensive list of violated court orders in those cases. We are confident that some number of cases have escaped our efforts at identification. That said, this list of cases is more than double the size of any other list of cases in which the government violated court orders.”

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/three-hundred-habeas-cases-in-which-the-government-has-defied-court-orders

Supreme Court clears way for dismissal of case against Trump ally Steve Bannon

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-supreme-court-clears-way-dismissal-case-against-trump-ally-steve-bannon-2026-04-06/

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers to urge appeals court to overturn conviction, sentence

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/sean-diddy-combs-lawyers-urge-appeals-court-overturn-conviction-sentence-2026-04-09/

Inside the battle at the Justice Department to get Trump what he wants (revenge)

https://archive.ph/ZMzKU

Trump administration fired 3 MA immigration judges who ruled in Öztürk, Mahdawi cases

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-04-13/immigration-judges-who-ruled-in-ozturk-mahdawi-cases-fired

SHAMEFUL: Judge upholds ex-Milwaukee judge’s ICE obstruction conviction
https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-upholds-ex-milwaukee-judges-ice-obstruction-conviction/

Trump administration deports eight people ‘of African origin’ to Uganda

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8ej43z8yw4o

Members of neo-Nazi ‘active clubs’ join combat events at secretive Virginia compound

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/07/neo-nazi-virginia-combat-event

Most People Arrested in ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Hadn’t Been Convicted of Crimes

https://www.theassemblync.com/news/politics/immigration/most-people-arrested-charlottes-web-no-conviction/

Over 6,200 Children Arrested by ICE During Trump’s Second Term

“Every American should be shocked that we’re incarcerating thousands of children,” Leecia Welch, chief legal counsel at Children’s Rights, an organization providing legal support for children in detention, said. “It just adds up to an incredible amount of trauma.”

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/06/ice-kids-detention-over-6200-trump

ICE labeled 1,300 arrests during Operation Metro Surge as ‘collateral’

“Collateral arrests make up around 35% of the 3,785 arrests recorded since the beginning of the surge in December. The portion of arrests that were collateral nearly doubled during the surge compared to previous months: From September to November, around 19% of the 528 arrests recorded in Minnesota were collateral. In the first two weeks of the surge, federal immigration agents recorded more collateral arrests than targeted arrests.”

https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/08/ice-labeled-1300-arrests-during-operation-metro-surge-as-collateral/

ICE arrested more than 800 people after receiving tips from TSA

https://www.reuters.com/world/ice-arrested-more-than-800-people-after-tips-us-airport-security-agency-2026-04-07/

ICE is arresting domestic abuse victims when they show up in court

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/ice-deportation-domestic-violence-victims/686629/

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor calls out Kavanaugh stops

https://archive.ph/9Qowx

She Followed Homeland Security Agents. Then Her Global Entry Was Revoked

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-watcher-global-entry-revoked_n_69d91826e4b00247ba9af588?origin=home-latest-news-unit

Man In Critical Condition After ICE Agents Fired Shots During Vehicle Stop

https://archive.ph/OhQie

New Minneapolis ICE shooting footage shows they lied about being “violently assaulted” by a man with a shovel

https://www.courthousenews.com/new-minneapolis-shooting-footage-contradicts-initial-ice-account/

DHS deported a US citizen to Mexico after threatening him with prison time

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/bryan-morales-us-citizen-deport-mexico-b2955205.html

Hundreds of sex toys displayed, thrown during anti-ICE protest in LA

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/hundreds-of-sex-toys-displayed-thrown-during-anti-ice-protest-in-downtown-l-a/

Man who tried to remove tear gas from Anti-ICE crowd facing 25 years in prison

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-admin-prison-anti-ice-activist_n_69d3fd75e4b05047ac8f4f12

US soldier’s wife freed from ICE detention as deportation attempt continues

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-soldiers-wife-freed-ice-detention-deportation-attempt-continues-2026-04-07/

Teen who went to photograph L.A. ‘No Kings’ rally shot, blinded by DHS agent

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-07/teen-who-attended-la-no-kings-rally-shot-blinded-by-dhs-agent-attorney-says

Malicious prosecution trial over Black attorney’s arrest at BLM protest kicks off

Phoenix police officer Francisco Barrios told the judge he had no first hand knowledge of the incident and went solely off what Phoenix police officer Darrell McGee described to him. In a video of that hearing played Wednesday, Barrios says he saw a “caucasian male” pushing officers in the police footage. Jamaar Williams is Black. “You watched a video of a caucasian person, which couldn’t have been Mr. Williams?” plaintiff’s attorney Mart Harris asked. “Yes,” Barrios said. “And that caucasian person was doing the things officer McGee said happened? Attorney Mart Harris asked. “Yes,” Barrios answered

https://www.courthousenews.com/malicious-prosecution-trial-over-phoenix-attorneys-arrest-at-protest-kicks-off/

Two Pro-Palestinian protesters at UC Irvine charged with not dispersing are acquitted

https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/04/07/2-men-charged-with-not-dispersing-during-pro-palestinian-protest-at-uci-are-acquitted/

The FAA’s “Temporary” Flight Restriction for Drones is a Blatant Attempt to Criminalize Filming ICE

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/faas-temporary-flight-restriction-drones-blatant-attempt-criminalize-filming-ice

Bill would reform ICE (ban masks and force then to wear body cams)

https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2026/4/fitzpatrick-suozzi-unveil-bipartisan-bill-to-fund-dhs-reform-ice-and-protect-america

Environmentalists renew calls for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ shutdown at Appeals Court

https://www.courthousenews.com/environmentalists-renew-calls-for-alligator-alcatraz-shutdown-at-11th-circuit/

Reno police made thousands of unlawful arrests using face ID, suit says

https://archive.ph/pus32

Judge’s ruling exposes city of Reno to liability in facial ID lawsuit

https://www.aol.com/news/judges-ruling-exposes-city-reno-225218195.html

Appeals Court Rules Illinois BIPA Damages Limitation Applies Retroactively

https://www.insideprivacy.com/data-privacy/seventh-circuit-holds-that-bipa-amendment-applies-retroactively/

NY Gaming Commission Proposes Mandatory Facial Recognition to Verify People Are Over 21

https://cnycentral.com/news/local/gov-hochul-announces-2026-plan-to-curb-underage-sports-betting-ai-artificial-intelligence-new-york-gamble-legally-gaming-commission-chair-brian-odwyer-activity-triggers-nyproblemgambling-help-gambling-social-security-cbs6-wrgb

This Person Does Not Exist Random Face Generator

https://this-person-does-not-exist.com/en

https://thispersondoesnotexist.com/

Arizona DOT to use AstreaX digital IDs

https://azdot.gov/news/arizona-wallet-newest-choice-digital-documents

BS WARNING: Researchers claim mmWave emotion recognition will preserve privacy

“Compared to conventional methods, mmWave radar could obtain vital signs in a non-contact method without privacy concerns. We used validated stimuli to induce participants’ emotions and simultaneously recorded three types of signals: mmWave signals, photoplethysmography pulse signals, and galvanic skin response signals. Participants used the Self-Assessment Manikin to provide subjective emotion ratings.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-07159-6

BS WARNING: Palm scanning company Handwave claims 50% of consumers would pay with their palm if privacy is guaranteed

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/handwave-half-of-consumers-would-pay-with-their-palm-if-privacy-is-guaranteed-survey-finds-302724858.html

Report says biometric scanning market will be worth $16.31 billion by 2031

https://www.goodeintelligence.com/report/biometric-physical-access-control-market-technology-analysis-forecasts-2026-2031/

CIA To Integrate AI ‘Co-Workers’ To Process Intelligence

https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2026/04/cia-plans-ai-coworkers-deputy-director-says/412744/

Former national security officials urge Congress to renew Section 702 before expiration

https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/04/former-national-security-officials-urge-congress-renew-section-702-expiration/412703

FISA Reauthorization Fearmongering and Disinformation Kicks Into Overdrive

https://www.cato.org/blog/fisa-reauthorization-fear-mongering-kicks-overdrive

House Dems decry confirmed ICE usage of Paragon spyware

“It’s outrageous that DHS and ICE are using this spyware with no Congressional oversight and a complete lack of compliance standards,” Democratic Reps. Summer Lee, Shontel Brown and Yassamin Ansari said in a joint statement. “Given the track record of the Trump Administration, ICE’s feigned compliance with existing standards doesn’t mean much; we need to see proof and evidence of ironclad safeguards.

https://cyberscoop.com/ice-using-paragon-spyware-house-democrats-letter/

Predatorgate: Breaking the chain of impunity of the spyware underworld

“Espionage constitutes a serious felony – not only a misdemeanor – and could lead to significantly harsher penalties and to a relevant analysis of the ties between Israeli spyware companies, their clients, and the Israeli Government. This development could finally address the question of whether – and which – state authorities were involved in Predatorgate, since the trial focused only on private individuals.”

https://edri.org/our-work/predatorgate-breaking-the-chain-of-impunity-of-the-spyware-underworld/

FBI Extracts Suspect’s Deleted Signal Messages Saved in iPhone Notification Database

https://archive.ph/bSQhD

iPhone owners urged to change this key privacy setting after FBI recovers suspect’s deleted Signal messages

https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone-owners-urged-to-change-this-key-privacy-setting-after-fbi-recovers-suspects-deleted-signal-messages

The Supreme Court’s Next Big Fourth Amendment Case (Geofence)

https://reason.com/2026/04/09/the-supreme-courts-next-big-fourth-amendment-case-2/

How Your Data Is Powering Trump’s Surveillance State

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/how-your-data-is-powering-trumps-surveillance-state/

35 police departments are using Longeye AI

Longeye operates in a “closed sandbox,” meaning it is entirely walled off from outside information that could compromise the analysis or provide faulty feedback — common criticisms of public-facing AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. Longeye is largely designed to analyze documents, data, audio and video obtained by police through a warrant, unlike some facial recognition tools that have proved unreliable. An investigative tool like Longeye may not be covered under existing state laws, since it currently does not write patrol reports, said Kate Chatfield, executive director of the California Public Defenders Association, which advocated for the California law.

https://archive.ph/f837V

Syracuse police FINALLY notify 15K people affected by data breach from 2025

“Mayor Sharon Owens’ administration briefed the Syracuse Common Council on the matter after letters went out. Sources familiar with that briefing said as many as 15,000 people were named in the compromised files, which date back to the 1980s.”

https://www.syracuse.com/news/2026/04/letters-sent-to-possible-victims-in-syracuse-police-data-breach-that-cost-city-250k.html

Appeals Court Flock Safety ruling: there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy of public movement on the roads

https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/1912241.pdf

ICE Uses Wildlife Conservation Police to Access Flock Safety License Plate Reader Databases

“The records in question were obtained from Ball State University by the journalist David Covucci, who covers college sports for his website FOIABall. The documents showed that, beyond the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission police, ICE used the Texas Department of Public Safety, Grant County Indiana Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Indiana police, Sarasota County Florida police, Brevard County Florida Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Fort Pierce Florida Police Department, and Mississippi Department of Public Safety to do immigration-related Flock searches in January.”

https://archive.ph/DdnDp

Does your school use Flock Safety license plate readers? Here are 75 that do

https://www.foiaball.com/p/flock-cameras-university-colleges-full-list

Why some cities are shutting down Flock Safety cameras amid privacy concerns

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/06/flock-cameras-privacy-concerns

This Wisconsin City Ditched AI Surveillance Cameras. Now Activists Want to Keep Going

https://boltsmag.org/verona-wisconsin-ends-contract-flock-ai-surveillance-cameras/

Wichita police to purchase two robotic dogs with no policy in place

Wichita City Council member Maggie Ballard, echoed by a couple of other council members, looked to delay the decision even further -- until WPD could establish policy and guardrails. “They’ve had a month to come up with a policy. We don’t have a policy. How are we going to implement these safely when we do not have a policy?” asked one public speaker. “People want investment in these things. They’re not opposed to them. They want to be a part of the process of building out policy guidelines and understanding the data,” said Joseph Shepard.

https://www.kake.com/home/wichita-city-council-approves-purchase-of-robotic-police-dog-spot/article_39ed245a-f49a-4555-9d0c-8dada5d28323.html

POLICE STATE WARNING: The National Police Association Endorses the use of Non-Lethal Drones Bill

Soon cops everywhere will be using ‘nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft’ to taser, pepper spray and ram protesters at 80-100 MPH. It won’t be long before they will be able to tear gas people.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-national-police-association-endorses-the-de-escalation-drone-pilot-program-act-302737764.html

Florida High School Is Installing Tactical Police Drones Designed to Stop School Shooter Attacks

Police drones can taser, pepper spray and ram a student at 80-100 MPH. It won’t be long before they will be able to tear gas people.

https://tech.yahoo.com/general/articles/florida-high-school-getting-tactical-152014124.html

Police license plate readers offer a false choice between public safety and privacy

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/04/06/police-surveillance-cameras-offer-a-false-choice-between-public-safety-and-privacy/

Police State Warning: Scottsdale’s Real Time Crime Center and “Drone as First Responder” Program Win National Smart Cities Award

Only in America are police given awards for spying on Americans!

“We are the eyes in the sky. So yes, I have access to over 6,000 camera feeds,” said Kathy Steinke, a Scottsdale Police Real Time Crime Center technician. Those feeds include business and traffic cams, license plate readers, and drones. “More often than not, the drone is overhead of the crime scene before the patrol officers even get there,” said Marcos Hernandez, a Scottsdale Police Real Time Crime Center technician and drone pilot.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/scottsdale-police-win-national-award-technology-drones-used-crime-response

Oakland County sheriff’s ignore privacy concerns over Flock Safety drones

Rochester Hills resident Holli Munro believes drones and AI will lead to more cases like Angela Lipps’. “Once we grant access, it will just go further and further to infringe on our rights and protections guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution,” she said.

https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/04/oakland-county-weighs-flock-drone-deal-amid-privacy-concerns.html

Eyes in the Sky - Peace Officers (Drone) Research Association of California

https://porac.org/article/eyes-in-the-sky/

The Mithril Defense Police Drones Coming to Schools to Stop Mass Shootings

https://www.wsj.com/business/a-startup-is-supplying-drones-to-high-schools-to-stop-mass-shootings-a7800ade

Pasadena Police Oversight Committee Proposes Police Drone Policy Safeguards And Facial Recognition Ban

https://pasadenanow.com/main/pasadena-oversight-commission-to-weigh-proposed-drone-policy-safeguards-including-facial-recognition-ban-weapons-prohibition

Cobb County police get $11M to purchase drones as first responder surveillance program and CCTV cameras during World Cup

https://nationaltoday.com/us/ga/kennesaw/news/2026/04/08/cobb-county-secures-10-7m-for-world-cup-drone-security/

Normal Police to launch drones as first responder surveillance program

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/normal-police-start-drone-program-001406361.html

Fort Collins police to launch drones as first responder surveillance program

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/northern-colorado-fort-collins-drone-response-program-police-fire-utilities/

Police drone programs expand in Central Florida, but restrictions remain

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/04/02/police-drone-programs-expand-in-central-florida-but-restrictions-remain/

DRONERESPONDERS Announces Addition of Former DOJ, FAA Official to Expand Police Drones

https://www.droneresponders.org/post/droneresponders-announces-addition-of-former-doj-faa-official-to-unite-public-safety-uas-training-t

Police Violence

NYPD cops share AI photos of KKK-hooded police standing over a gorilla

https://nypost.com/2026/04/11/us-news/racist-posts-in-nypd-units-chat-group-feul-hispanic-officers-lawsuit/

A Maryland Hospital Held a Woman for Months Against Her Will. The Supreme Court Will Decide if She Can Sue

https://reason.com/2026/04/10/a-maryland-hospital-held-a-woman-for-months-against-her-will-the-supreme-court-will-decide-if-she-can-sue/

As Election Looms, Washington Wonders if Trump Will Get a New Supreme Court Pick

https://archive.ph/K7Gtq

Supreme Court remade by Trump ushers in historic defeats for civil rights

https://archive.ph/3Si3V

Trump administration’s volume of emergency docket appeals ‘unprecedented’

https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-emergency-docket-sotomayor-9b44e480117fbc83adc587824efd29a4

Beware Brett Kavanaugh: Trump’s Favorite Supreme Court Justice

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/brett-kavanaugh-trump-s-favorite

Lawsuit Reveals: Supreme Court Justices Travel to Exotic Locales and Safari’s
https://fixthecourt.com/2026/04/documents-from-state-show-the-justices-are-well-traveled-and-well-covered/

WTF? Ohio judges can now publicly endorse political candidates

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/investigations/3news-investigates-ohio-judges-can-publicly-endorse-political-candidates-supreme-court-opinion-kennedy-fischer/95-dd24496a-78c8-4faa-968d-f726a4686a40

Judge facing ‘super drunk’ charge takes plea deal

https://kfoxtv.com/news/nation-world/federal-judge-facing-super-drunk-charge-takes-plea-deal-drunk-driving-emmet

VT Supreme Court pulls Addison County prosecutor’s law license following DUI conviction

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/10/vermonts-top-court-pulls-addison-county-prosecutors-law-license-following-dui-conviction/

Coalition of 14 state AGs is fighting back against organized, politically motivated MAGA campaigns

“West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of fourteen state Attorneys General in fighting back against organized, politically motivated campaigns designed to intimidate Department of Justice attorneys and cripple the federal government’s ability to enforce the law.”

https://ago.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-urging-doj-protect-federal-attorneys-political-groups-who-are-weaponizing-bar

Half of Costilla County county’s sheriff’s officers indicted for abuse of a corpse

https://apnews.com/article/colorado-sheriff-indictment-costilla-corpse-abuse-c2430a8ebb2114bc55151d49a2ac1a03

Sheriffs across Colorado step in to help Costilla County after nearly whole Sheriff’s Office indicted

https://www.cpr.org/2026/04/06/costilla-county-indictment-sheriffs-department/

MA state trooper accused of child abuse facing more charges

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/04/12/state-police-trooper-accused-of-child-abuse-facing-more-charges/

Appeals Court rejects additional charges for Georgia cops who shot a mentally-ill Black man 76 times

https://www.courthousenews.com/11th-circuit-rejects-additional-charges-for-officers-who-shot-black-man-76-times/

How Incarceration Reinforces Poverty in Black and Brown Communities

The poorest communities are the ones most policed and funneled into prison. A high percentage of incarcerated bodies are poor Black and brown people. According to a survey by the Ella Baker Center, roughly 65 percent of families with a loved one in prison were unable to meet their basic needs because court-related fines and fees sent them into debt of more than $13,000 on average. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, 58 percent of families could not afford “the costs associated with a conviction.”

https://www.vera.org/news/paying-for-prison-how-incarceration-reinforces-poverty

Report Details Inhumane Conditions Inside Prisons

https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2026/03/18/small-prison-cells/

ME man who spent years in solitary confinement gets $250K settlement

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/04/09/mainefocus/mainefocus-police-courts/zachary-swain-maine-solitary-confinement-settlement-joam40zk0w/

Thousands Of MA Prisoners Are Stuck On Education Waitlists

https://binj.news/2026/04/08/the-waiting-game-thousands-of-mass-prisoners-are-stuck-on-education-waitlists/

Innocent Black man who spent 31 years in prison sues Nassau County DA’s office and police for malicious prosecution

The Nassau County D.A. announced shortly after his release that they would re-try him from murder. That trial brought fresh revelations Ellis had been railroaded — “a 234-page file titled ‘Unnamed Homicide Squad investigative file,’ consisting of NCPD police notes, homicide lead sheets, arrest records, and statements by witnesses and suspects from the NCPD investigation, all pointing to additional leads and suspects never before disclosed,” according to the lawsuit.

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/04/07/brooklyn-man-who-wrongly-served-31-years-for-murder-sues-nassau-county-for-malicious-prosecution/

NY Black man exonerated for murder, is ‘a force of nature’ fighting for prisoners

https://gothamist.com/news/exonerated-for-murder-jabbar-collins-is-a-force-of-nature-fighting-for-ny-prisoners

Did a Kalamazoo County cold case team prioritize closing cases over objective truth?

https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/did-a-kalamazoo-cold-case-team-prioritize-closing-cases-over-objective-truth.html

https://wwmt.com/news/local/jeff-titus-settlement-detectives-wrongful-arrest-prison-murder-doug-estes-jim-bennett-crime-court-kalamazoo-county-michigan

Police Destroyed Innocent People’s Property—and Left Them With the Bill. Will the Supreme Court Step In?

https://reason.com/2026/04/07/police-destroyed-innocent-peoples-property-and-left-them-with-the-bill-will-the-supreme-court-step-in/

Innocent Property Owners Deserve ‘Just Compensation’ When Cops Destroy Their Homes or Businesses

https://reason.com/2026/04/08/innocent-property-owners-deserve-just-compensation-when-cops-wreck-their-homes-or-businesses/

Why hasn’t the Boston police murder of an unarmed Black man led to large protests?

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-04-06/why-hasnt-the-boston-police-killing-of-a-black-man-led-to-large-protests

Boston cops who turned out for Nicholas O’Malley’s arraignment violated policy and MA state law

https://flipsidenews.net/were-they-off-duty-or-on-the-publics-dime-cops-who-turned-out-for-arraignment-violated-bpd-policy-or-state-law/

Boston Police attorney rejects City Council calls to release body cam footage tied to fatal police shooting of unarmed Black man

https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/04/07/boston-police-attorney-rejects-city-council-calls-to-release-body-cam-footage-tied-to-fatal-police-shooting/

MA cop’s DNA was found on murder weapon around Sandra Birchmore’s neck

https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/04/06/ex-stoughton-cop-matthew-farwells-dna-was-found-on-murder-weapon-around-sandra-birchmores-neck-feds/

LAPD cops FINALLY go on trial over excessive force claims during Dodgers celebrations from SIX years ago

https://www.courthousenews.com/lapd-officers-go-on-trial-over-excessive-force-claims-during-2020-dodgers-celebrations/

CA cop charged with two felonies tied to missed court appearances

https://archive.ph/ZPMc5

Louisiana police chief, 4 cops and mayor accused of sharing protected information with defendant

https://www.kplctv.com/2026/04/07/mamou-police-chief-arrested-malfeasance-charge/

NYC mayor steps back from pledge on total elimination of NYPD gang database

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/04/06/mayor-mamdani-steps-back-from-pledge-on-total-elimination-of-nypd-gang-database/

NYC Mayor Mamdani signals openness to NYPD gang database, citing reforms

https://gothamist.com/news/mayor-mamdani-signals-openness-to-nypd-gang-database-citing-reforms

11K cops sign petition to keep NYPD officer who threw a cooler at a man on a scooter killing him out of prison

https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/national/nearly-11-000-cops-petition-for-no-prison-time-for-cooler-cop-nypd-sgt-erik/article_31bda05a-75ad-5e08-9cc9-d4671dd955ce.html

NYPD cop who threw a cooler at a man on a scooter sentenced to a mere 3-9 years

https://apnews.com/article/new-york-police-cooler-throwing-death-sentencing-63f8537712e6de2a2dd4d98a359ed0b1

MA police chief charged with committing fraud while leading department

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2026/04/08/former-mass-police-chief-charged-with-committing-fraud-while-leading-department/

TX cop arrested for pulling gun on ex-wife and man while in uniform

https://abc13.com/post/uniformed-police-officer-arrested-pulling-gun-ex-wife-man-court-documents-show/18766244/

VT sheriff with criminal convictions who lost his certification, could be placed on national blacklist

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/06/blocked-from-police-work-in-vermont-ex-addison-county-sheriff-faces-possible-new-black-mark/

VT sheriff who kicked a handcuffed man won’t seek reelection

https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/06/john-grismore-embattled-sheriff-of-franklin-county-wont-seek-reelection/

3 Florida cops arrested in overtime abuse investigation

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-officers-arrested-jso-overtime-investigation/77-43eb5f97-d037-405c-bf14-b8d1fc0d504b

MA state trooper pleads guilty in COVID-19-era Paycheck Protection Program fraud scheme

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2026/04/11/retired-mass-state-police-sergeant-pleads-guilty-in-ppp-fraud-scheme/

Jefferson County clerk pushes back against DOJ lawsuit over Kentucky voter data

https://www.wlky.com/article/jefferson-county-clerk-doj-lawsuit-kentucky-voter-data/70895216

Trump’s DOJ sues Idaho for failure to produce voter rolls

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-justice-department-sues-idaho-failure-produce-voter-rolls-2026-04-01/

Citizen Action Group asked a court to deny giving voting records to Trump’s DOJ

https://westvirginiawatch.com/2026/04/02/community-organization-wants-to-intervene-in-dojs-lawsuit-against-wv-over-voting-records/

Trump’s DOJ Lied to a Judge About How It’s Using Voter Roll Data

In a court document filed on March 27, Department of Justice attorney Eric Neff walked back his claims. “The United States represented that each data set was stored separately,” Neff wrote. “The United States also stated that no analysis had yet been conducted on the data. To correct and clarify the record, preliminary internal data analysis of the nonpublic voter registration data has begun. In particular, the Civil Rights Division has begun the process of identifying and quantifying the number and type of duplicate and deceased registered voters in each state.” “We still have no idea what the government is doing with this data,” says David Becker, the head of the Center for Election Innovation and Research and a former Justice Department lawyer. “No idea where it is being stored, how it is being protected, or who has access to it.”

https://www.wired.com/story/doj-misled-judge-voter-roll-data/

The Unconstitutionality of the Trump Administration’s New Executive Order on Elections

https://www.justsecurity.org/135562/unconstitutionality-trump-admin-executive-order-elections/

California election experts sound alarm as rejected ballots quadruple

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-04/california-election-experts-sound-alarm-as-rejected-ballots-quadruple

Voting Rights Advocates Sue Over Florida GOP ‘Show Your Papers’ Law

https://www.commondreams.org/news/florida-voting-laws

https://www.courthousenews.com/lawsuits-fly-as-florida-governor-signs-new-elections-law/

Wisconsin judicial panel upholds gerrymandered congressional maps

https://www.courthousenews.com/wisconsin-congressional-map-survives-judicial-review/

Woman’s Lawsuit Over Criminalized Abortion Gets Tossed by Trump-Appointed Judge

https://www.jezebel.com/womans-lawsuit-over-criminalized-abortion-gets-tossed-by-trump-appointed-judge

Trump’s IRS Claims 4 M Children Have Been Signed Up For Trump Accounts

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/4-million-children-have-been-signed-up-for-trump-accounts-with-1-million-claiming-the-1000-pilot-program-contribution

Border Patrol Installing General Dynamics Surveillance Towers Along U.S.– Mexico Border in San Diego

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/02/new-ai-surveillance-towers-from-general-dynamics-deployed-along-u-s-mexico-border-in-san-diego/

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin cancels policy requiring he review contracts over $100K

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/dhs-cancels-policy-requiring-secretary-review-contracts-over-100000-2026-04-02/

Republicans Eye More Health Care Cuts To Pay For Iran War

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ludicrous-politics-republicans-eye-more-health-care-cuts-to-pay-for-iran-war_n_69cbeb60e4b039d10fc71d53

Former Trump Energy Official Settled ‘Conflict of Interest’ Probe with Payment but No Liability (Acquire Geeenland)

https://www.occrp.org/en/scoop/former-trump-energy-official-settled-conflict-of-interest-probe-with-payment-but-no-liability

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White House reaffirms support for surgeon general Casey Means pick after Trump remarks

https://archive.ph/kc1Mo

Trump nominates Dr. Casey Means, wellness influencer close to RFK Jr

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-nominates-dr-casey-means-wellness-influencer-close-to-rfk-jr-for-surgeon-general

NCYL opposes Trump administration proposal to require all who contract with the federal government to follow new anti-DEI rules

https://youthlaw.org/press/2026/03/30/ncyl-opposes-unlawful-proposal-by-trump-administration-to-require-all-who-contract-with-the-federal-government-to-follow-new-anti-dei-rules/

Feds Double Standard Of Corporate Criminal Sentencing (Deferred Prosecution Agreements And Non-Prosecution Agreements)

https://bclawreview.bc.edu/articles/3186/files/67e6a87214a19.pdf

Trump Administration Makes It Harder To Sue Companies For Civil Rights Violations

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-administration-prepares-final-lending-rule-narrow-civil-rights-protections-2026-03-31/

Federal Surveillance Tech Becomes Mandatory in New Cars by 2027

“Federal mandate requires surveillance cameras monitoring driver alertness in new vehicles by 2027. Infrared sensors track eye movement and prevent ignition if impairment detected. Technology adds $100-500 per vehicle cost while raising biometric data privacy concerns.”

https://www.gadgetreview.com/federal-surveillance-tech-becomes-mandatory-in-new-cars-by-2027

Government ‘kill switch’ in your next car — and Congress made it happen

https://www.cbtnews.com/government-kill-switch-in-your-next-car/

Nissan and Infiniti vehicles hacked in January

https://cybernews.com/security/everest-nissan-data-breach-ultimatum/

https://www.rswebsols.com/news/nissan-reportedly-vulnerable-to-hack-shortly-after-chrysler-breach-announcement/

China’s self-driving taxi’s leave people stuck in vehicles unable to exit them

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/baidu-robotaxi-outage-wuhan-caused-by-system-failure-police-say-2026-04-01

Judge reassigns 3 Elon Musk cases, but denies she showed bias against him with emoji

https://www.businessinsider.com/delaware-judge-reassigns-elon-musk-tesla-shareholder-cases-linkedin-bias-2026-3

EPIC Joins Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hold Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile Accountable for Selling Customers’ Data

https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25-406acFormerFCCChairsAndConsumerAdvocacyGroups.pdf

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-402213A1.pdf

Judge Blocks Trump Executive Order To End Funding For NPR And PBS

https://apnews.com/article/trump-npr-pbs-funding-executive-order-fbd9500e5f7400deab84ead188c35694

Trump Isn’t Just Bullying Journalists. He’s Subverting the First Amendment

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-isnt-just-bullying-journalists-hes-subverting-the-first-amendment/

TN librarian fired for refusing to move more than 100 books from children’s to adult section
https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-librarian-fired-lgbtq-books-09ea65c6b6fe299a0759aa7af37bb870

The Right Is Using AI Content Scanners to Try to Supercharge Book Banning

https://archive.ph/nGEgN

Olivier Sylvain Wants to Reclaim the Internet from Big Tech

https://www.techpolicy.press/olivier-sylvain-wants-to-reclaim-the-internet-from-big-tech/

AI Needs Accountability. We Can’t Rely on Companies and Governments Alone

https://www.justsecurity.org/133322/ai-accountability-companies-governments/

Source Code for Anthropic’s Claude Code Left Unsecured

https://fortune.com/2026/03/26/anthropic-leaked-unreleased-model-exclusive-event-security-issues-cybersecurity-unsecured-data-store/

https://gizmodo.com/source-code-for-anthropics-claude-code-leaks-at-the-exact-wrong-time-2000740379

Reddit privacy case against Anthropic kicked back to state court

https://www.courthousenews.com/reddit-privacy-case-against-anthropic-kicked-back-to-state-court/

Perplexity AI Caught Sharing Your Private Chats with Meta and Google

https://www.gadgetreview.com/perplexity-ai-caught-sharing-your-private-chats-with-meta-and-google

Where is Accountability When Governments Deploy AI?
https://www.techpolicy.press/where-is-accountability-when-governments-deploy-ai/

GAO report warns agencies about privacy risks of using AI

“GAO convened a panel of experts who identified privacy risks and challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which align with GAO’s prior reporting on AI use. For example, the experts noted that using AI may reveal sensitive information in raw data sets, potentially exposing personal and private information, among other privacy risks. At the same time, the experts identified several challenges that federal agencies face in addressing these risks. These include the lack of technology to implement AI with appropriate privacy protections and the potential performance tradeoff when adjusting or removing certain data for the sake of privacy.”

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-107681.pdf

Majority of Americans want stronger oversight of government data-sharing

https://statescoop.com/cdt-government-data-sharing-survey/

We Don’t Let Babies Play With Electricity — Why Are We Letting Them Play With AI?

https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/we-dont-let-babies-play-with-electricity-why-are-we-letting-them-play-with-ai/

Chatbots are now prescribing psychiatric drugs

https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/906525/ai-chatbot-prescribe-refill-psychiatric-drugs

Axios Javascript Library Used by Millions Compromised in Hack

https://siliconangle.com/2026/03/31/hackers-compromise-popular-axios-javascript-library-hidden-malware/

Data Centers Create Heat Islands Stretching 6 Miles

https://gizmodo.com/data-centers-create-heat-islands-stretching-6-miles-study-finds-2000741676

State & Local Privacy News

NH- Can the Supreme Court Survive Under Republican Rule?

“Governors Sununu and Ayotte have only appointed Republicans to the state Supreme Court.”

https://indepthnh.org/2026/03/25/claremont-in-the-crosshairs-can-the-nh-supreme-court-survive/

ME- Judge gives DOJ access to school sports rosters amid lawsuit over trans athletes

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/03/31/judge-gives-doj-access-to-school-sports-rosters-amid-lawsuit-over-trans-athletes/

ME- York County sheriff candidate accused of colluding with incumbent

https://themainemonitor.org/york-sheriff-candidate-accused-collusion/

ME- State lawmakers targeted by social media campaign opposing data center ban

https://themainemonitor.org/maine-data-center-ad-campaign/

ME- Lawmakers Move to Halt Data Centers Over Power Concerns

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/maine-ai-data-centers/2026/04/02/id/1251608/

MA- ICE has arrested over 7K people across the state

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/04/01/7000-ice-arrests-massachusetts-trump

MA- BS WARNING: The Healey-Driscoll Administration unveils tool to track opioid settlement funds

No mention of how much money goes to police departments. And we still don’t know!

https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/massachusetts-unveils-tool-to-track-opioid-settlement-funds/

MA- The state tried to withhold information on how opioid remediation dollars are funding police departments

https://theshoestring.org/2026/02/12/millions-in-opioid-settlement-funds-are-still-sitting-idle-in-mass-municipalities/

NY- Troy police ignore privacy concerns, renew Flock license plate reader contract

https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/troys-flock-license-plate-reader-camera-contract-will-stay-amid-privacy-concerns-mayor-carmella-r-mantello-police-department-critics-city-council-safety-renewed-request-for-proposals-alpr-automated-license-plate-reader-cbs6-wrgb

MI- Judge Dismisses AG’s Video Privacy Claims Against Roku

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/414048/judge-dismisses-michigans-video-privacy-claims-ag.html

IL- State’s Biometric Privacy Law Amendment Deemed Retroactive

https://www.legalnewsline.com/cook-county-record/il-biometrics-privacy-reforms-apply-to-past-cases-too-appeals-court/article_8f8c45b9-b50a-48d8-9664-15308c82eb0f.html

MO- St. Louis police use opioid settlement money to expand substance use treatment programs at its jail

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/26/heres-how-local-municipalities-spent-opioid-settlement-funds-2025/

ID- Governor Signs Bill Protecting Private Property from Law Enforcement Searches Without a Warrant

https://ij.org/press-release/institute-for-justice-applauds-idaho-governor-signing-bill-protecting-private-property-from-law-enforcement-searches-without-a-warrant/

TX- Police officials across the state are not worried about being fined for using Flock license plate readers

https://baytownsun.com/local/local-authorities-safe-from-flock-fine/article_29e50f86-c56f-497e-9b7c-86c82d9e74c9.html

Utah- Governor to require studying Bible in public schools

https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2026/03/30/utah-students-will-need-learn/

AZ- Tempe police to use Axon license plate readers after Flock Safety backlash

https://archive.ph/FQsIv

WA- Pierce County Sheriff Forced to Deactivate 200 Flock Safety License Plate Readers After Data Privacy Act Signed Into Law

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/pierce-county-sheriffs-office-deactivates-its-automated-license-plate-readers/TXPVNII6B5D3LDKKYMOP3FW2IY/

WA- Governor adds safeguards for Flock cameras

https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/mar/31/washington-adds-safeguards-for-flock-cameras/

World Privacy News

Israel Passes Widely Condemned Death Penalty Law For Palestinian Prisoners

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-death-penalty-bill-knesset-ben-gvir-c67c1c14f218a4d67ed3d5011cd5cf8d

Israel To Destroy ‘All Houses’ Near Lebanon Border

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-destroy-all-houses-near-lebanon-border-defence-minister-says-2026-03-31/

Surging ‘Jewish Terrorism’ In West Bank Condemned But Unpunished

https://www.barrons.com/news/surging-jewish-terrorism-in-west-bank-condemned-but-unpunished-4abc888b

EU Commission calls Israel’s death penalty law ‘a clear step backwards’

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-condemns-israel-death-penalty-law/

Jailed historian who memorialized Stalin victims wins moral victory at European rights court

https://www.courthousenews.com/jailed-historian-who-memorialized-stalin-victims-wins-moral-victory-at-european-rights-court/

UK government admits the obvious: Free countries shouldn’t police legal speech

https://www.fire.org/news/uk-government-admits-obvious-free-countries-shouldnt-police-legal-speech

Top EU officials’ Signal group chat shut down over hacking fears

https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-officials-signal-group-chat-hacking-fears/

WhatsApp notifies hundreds of users who installed a fake app made by Italian government spyware maker

https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/01/whatsapp-notifies-hundreds-of-users-who-installed-a-fake-app-that-was-actually-government-spyware/

Is an IP address considered personal data in the EU?

https://techgdpr.com/blog/is-an-ip-address-considered-personal-data/

https://privacyinternational.org/explainer/5755/are-ip-addresses-personal-data

How Europe’s Digital Omnibus Could Gut Privacy Protections

https://www.techpolicy.press/how-europes-digital-omnibus-could-gut-privacy-protections/

EU slammed for caving to US pressure on digital rules

Allowing U.S. officials to take part in discussions on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Greens lawmaker Alexandra Geese added, would let “platforms … grade their own homework” — amounting to a “fatal decision for our companies and our democracy.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/fatal-decision-eu-slammed-for-caving-to-us-pressure-on-digital-rules/

Lawmakers revolt over the EU’s plan to reform the General Data Protection Regulation

https://www.politico.eu/article/privacy-roadblock-stunts-ursula-von-der-leyen-anti-red-tape-crusade-gdpr/

Understanding the EU ban of the untargeted scraping of facial images and facial recognition databases

https://fpf.org/blog/red-lines-under-the-eu-ai-act-understanding-the-ban-of-the-untargeted-scraping-of-facial-images-and-facial-recognition-databases/

Understanding the EU ban of biometric categorization for certain sensitive characteristics

https://fpf.org/blog/red-lines-under-the-eu-ai-act-understanding-the-prohibition-of-biometric-categorization-for-certain-sensitive-characteristics/

Unpacking the EU ban of emotion recognition in the workplace and universities

https://fpf.org/blog/red-lines-under-eu-ai-act-unpacking-the-prohibition-of-emotion-recognition-in-the-workplace-and-education-institutions/

Sweden- Government to use Thales facial recognition/fingerprint scanners to ID immigrants (watchlist)

https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/81041-2026

Germany- Men between 17 and 45 must ask army for permission to leave country

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/04/german-men-must-apply-army-booking-holidays-conscription/

UK- Government’s Lebanon surveillance network: A digital map for war

https://thecradle.co/articles/britains-lebanon-surveillance-network-a-digital-map-for-war

UK- One in eight parents now reports their child is disabled

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/one-eight-parents-now-reports-140000297.html

UK- Government’s £1 Billion Pandemic Plan Use’s Big Tech To Create National Tracking Network

https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-pandemic-location-tracking-plan

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1-billion-invested-in-health-protection-as-new-pandemic-strategy-published

UK- Met cop who called Palestinian journalist a ‘dog’ and told him to ‘go back to Qatar’ has been suspended

https://www.declassifieduk.org/met-police-officer-exposed-by-declassified-has-been-suspended/

UK- Government to overhaul non-crime hate incident rules

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80m7xyl0xgo

UK- Big Brother Watch responds to Government “scrapping” police recording of “non-crime hate incidents”

https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/press-releases/big-brother-watch-responds-to-government-scrapping-police-recording-of-non-crime-hate-incidents/

UK- What If We Had Free Speech Like The U.S.?

https://reason.com/2026/04/01/what-if-the-u-k-had-free-speech-like-the-u-s/

UK- Government is testing digital curfews. Social media bans for teens might be next

https://www.fire.org/news/blogs/free-speech-dispatch/uk-testing-digital-curfews-social-media-bans-teens-might-be-next

UK- 4chan’s lawyer wrote the UK Free Speech Act

https://www.therage.co/4chan-uk-free-speech-act/

IRL- Government Launches Digital ID Pilot With Age Verification Capability for Social Media

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/ireland-digital-wallet-eu-data-official-2026-id

IRL- Prove receives $5M to expand digital IDs

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402233334/en/Prove-Accelerates-Global-Innovation-with-Expansion-of-Ireland-RD-Hub

Hong Kong- Government makes it a crime to refuse to unlock your cellphone for police

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/us-warns-travelers-that-refusing-to-unlock-phones-in-hong-kong-is-now-a-crime/ar-AA1ZDirQ

Hong Kong- The Hong Kong International Airport installs 12 facial recognition eGates

https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/immigration-department-opens-12-new-e%E2%80%91channels-at-hk-airport-arrival/

Indonesia- Government bans social media access for children under 16

https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-social-media-children-under-16-761b3ae00231ea0b176f93813c0a35eb

South Korea- Government extends mandatory facial recognition to purchase SIM cards

https://www.mobileworldlive.com/regulation/korea-extends-facial-recognition-sim-registration-pilot

Turkey- UN condemns government for criminalizing human rights lawyers

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/un-experts-urge-turkiye-end-criminalisation-human-rights-defenders-and

Iran- Government shuts down access to internet, blocks “white SIM card” users

https://www.techpolicy.press/what-digital-isolation-and-censorship-evasion-look-like-in-wartime-iran/

Afghanistan- UN coalition calls for end to Taliban policy blocking women from UN premises

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/afghanistan-un-experts-demand-immediate-end-taliban-restrictions-women-un

The South African Revenue Service to Issue Biometric Digital IDs to All Taxpayers

https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/media-release-sars-crosses-historic-r2-trillion-mark-in-net-revenue-collection-in-our-democracy/

Nigeria- Press groups condemn police beating journalist covering Eid celebrations

https://cpj.org/2026/03/nigerian-police-beat-journalist-muhammad-sani-adamu-during-eid-celebrations/

Turks and Caicos Islands to use Vision-Box facial recognition to ID visitors

https://tcweeklynews.com/tci-launches-month-digital-borders-programme-with-egates-and-biometri-p15772-155.htm

AU- Australia Post shutting down Digital ID April 30th

https://www.themandarin.com.au/310654-australia-post-junks-digital-id/

AU- Anthropic to sign deal with government on AI safety and economic data tracking

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/anthropic-sign-deal-with-australia-ai-safety-economic-data-tracking-2026-03-31/

St Kitts and Nevis- Government forces people who became citizens under the Citizenship by Investment program to register for biometric passport

https://www.sknis.gov.kn/2026/03/20/st-kitts-and-nevis-raises-global-standard-with-next-level-biometric-passport-upgrade/

El Salvador- In the government’s mass trials, ‘the innocent pay for the guilty’

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260406-in-el-salvador-s-mass-trials-the-innocent-pay-for-the-guilty

A Central American Bank to use Facephi facial recognition and behavioral biometrics to ID customers

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/31/3265192/0/en/Facephi-Adds-New-Client-for-Mule-Account-Detection-and-Behavioral-Biometrics-in-Central-America-for-5-Years.html

https://archive.ph/5BfDT

Trump’s Approval Rating -21.4 is the Lowest of any President Since the 1940’s

Strength In Numbers

The six big events that have dragged down Donald Trump's approval rating

Note: This article is free to read, but it was not free to produce. To help grow this newsletter business (doing so incurs costs like paying for polling data and modeling infrastructure, experimenting on biz dev, and hiring a couple of survey research assistants…

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a month ago · 188 likes · 15 comments · G. Elliott Morris

Countries Around The World Are Losing Trust In The U.S.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/ig02-countries-losing-trust-in-the-u-s/

Trump signs executive order directing creation of a national voter list

“The executive order will require the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a list of verified U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote in each state with the Social Security Administration’s help, according to a fact sheet shared with the Caller. The presidential action will also require that the U.S. Postal Service only send absentee ballots to those on each state’s approved mail-in ballot list. Ballots will now have specific secure envelopes, with unique barcodes for tracking, the order mandates.”

https://dailycaller.com/2026/03/31/trump-mail-in-voting-executive-order-save-america-act-midterms/

https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mail-voting-elections-47cc334b1fb7742244a9c4f176b355cd

4 Days Ago, Trump’s DOJ Lied About NOT Compiling A National Voter List

“Similarly, the acting chief of the division’s voting section, Eric Neff, in a sworn declaration in federal court in Connecticut also denied media reports suggesting the department was compiling a national voter file.”

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-dept-finalizing-deal-voter-roll-data-homeland-security/

Privacy officer resigns as DOJ readies voter data for DHS

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/03/nx-s1-5768455/privacy-doj-dhs-voter-data

Sen. Wyden warns: Trump’s voter database is ‘blatant voter suppression’

https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/wyden-demands-answers-from-social-security-commissioner-over-trump-directive-to-create-unconstitutional-national-voter-database

SHAMEFUL: Appeals court throws out election denier Tina Peters’ 9-year sentence for tampering with election equipment

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/politics/colorado-appeals-court-tina-peters

Trump Says He’ll Take The Unprecedented Step Of Attending SCOTUS Arguments In Birthright Citizenship

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/trump-plans-attend-oral-arguments-birthright-citizenship-case-rcna266117

Trump accused of trying to bully SCOTUS to their faces

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-accused-of-trying-to-bully-scotus-to-their-faces/

Cops Killed 1314 Americans Last Year

https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/02/repub/fatal-police-violence-may-have-declined-for-the-first-time-in-years/

Tiger Woods Tells Deputy He Called ‘President Trump’ Before Arrest

https://www.wpbf.com/article/tiger-woods-arrest-bodycam-video/70910717

Kristi Noem’s husband leads secret double life as a cross-dresser

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15685877/kristi-noem-husband-bryon-crossdressing-pictures-south-dakota.html#

Kristi Noem: ‘The family was blindsided by this’

https://nypost.com/2026/03/31/us-news/kristi-noem-weighs-in-on-report-husband-bryon-lives-cross-dressing-double-life/

Kristi Noem begins envoy role with Latin America tour

https://qazinform.com/news/noem-begins-envoy-role-with-latin-america-tour-1e6ff0

Trump fires Pam Bondi as attorney general

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/politics/pam-bondi-role-trump

Pam Bondi’s extreme political loyalty to Trump wasn’t enough to save her job

https://theconversation.com/pam-bondis-extreme-political-loyalty-to-trump-wasnt-enough-to-save-her-job-279926

‘You’re fired.’ Here’s who Trump has ousted across two terms

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/02/who-has-trump-fired-pam-bondi-kristi-noem/89441301007/

Woman who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her when she was 13, says FBI has never release her files

https://www.thedailybeast.com/key-details-donald-trump-accuser-13-told-fbi-were-censored-from-jeffrey-epstein-files/

Zero charges since DOJ released its latest batch of files on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/03/nx-s1-5766260/epstein-files-arrests-doj-prosecutors

Longtime Epstein Assistant Speaks Out About Ties to Russian Intelligence

“The emails show the well-educated Svetlana Pozhidaeva being treated as a valuable asset: Epstein organized her appearances at elite forums like the U.N. and Davos, introduced her to powerful people, and at one point paid her $8,333 per month.”

https://www.occrp.org/en/scoop/amid-reports-of-family-ties-to-russian-intelligence-longtime-epstein-assistant-speaks-out

Bank of America agrees to pay Epstein victims $72.5M

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/27/jeffrey-epstein-bank-of-america-lawsuit-settle.html

Trump’s defense lawyer Todd Blanche taking over the DOJ

https://www.ksby.com/politics/who-is-todd-blanche-what-to-know-about-trumps-pick-for-acting-attorney-general

CORRUPTION WARNING: Justice Department says Trump can keep his presidential records

The Presidential Records Act of 1978 requires presidential documents be sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. In an opinion released Thursday, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel found the law “is unconstitutional for two independent but interlocking reasons.” The slip opinion from theJustice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel , which is overseen by Elliot Gaiser, could allow the White House to set its own guidance on presidential record collection outside the parameters of the PRA.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-says-trump-not-turn-presidential-records-rcna266434
https://archive.ph/k1kPB

Trump’s Border Patrol chief regularly solicited prostitutes abroad

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/4509505/border-patrol-chief-michael-banks-prostitution-allegations-by-agents/

EU warns Trump against ‘illegal’ bombing of Iran’s power stations

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-warn-donald-trump-illegal-bombing-iran-power-station-antonio-costa/

Trump administration exempts oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for ‘national security’

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/30/nx-s1-5745926/endangered-species-committee-hegseth-security

10 Years Ago Today, Trump Promised To Eliminate the National Debt. Instead, It Has Doubled

https://reason.com/2026/03/31/10-years-ago-today-trump-promised-to-eliminate-the-national-debt-instead-it-has-doubled/

Hugo Chavez Cousin to Run CITGO Refineries

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2026/04/02/citgo-sale-twists-in-the-wind-as-treasury-department-stalls/

Satellite Companies (Planet Labs and Vantor) Claim Trump Didn’t Demand They Withhold Images of Iran War

In the message sent to customers this week, the company said it made the decision “after consulting with experts inside and outside of government.” But the spokesperson emphasized that “the change is not the result of a directive or requirement from any government. It is Planet’s decision.” Vantor spokesperson Tomi Maxted added that “Vantor independently determines when and how these controls are implemented as part of our responsible business practices. These decisions are not mandated by any government, military organization, or third party.”

https://archive.ph/xxHfF

White House Request Prompts Planet Labs to Withhold Iran War Images

https://archive.ph/VtrUv

Hegseth’s broker looked to buy defense fund before Iran attack

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-defense-secretary-hegseths-broker-looked-buy-defense-fund-before-iran-attack-2026-03-30/

Hegseth Says Trump Has Vision of ‘Greater North America.’ Critics Alarmed by ‘Greater Israel’ Parallel

https://www.commondreams.org/news/greater-north-america

Karoline Leavitt: “Could you hear an amen in there? We just had a little prayer as a team.”

GOP Candidate Tells Black Man Asking Questions He Should Be Lynched

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gop-candidate-tells-black-man-185055992.html

US directs embassies to team up against foreign ‘hostility’ – and use X to ‘counter anti-American propaganda’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/embassies-campaign-marco-rubio-elon-musk

Court Bans Border Patrol From Making Illegal Stops In CA

“Yesterday, a federal district court ruled that the U.S. Border Patrol violated a prior court order during a July 2025 immigration operation in Sacramento, finding that agents conducted stops without reasonable suspicion and failed to properly document their actions. “Border Patrol Agents relied on boilerplate narratives and, in multiple instances, other officers modified or doctored reports describing stops and arrests,” said Bree Bernwanger, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California. “The court concluded that these practices violated the requirement to provide specific, individualized facts justifying each stop.”

https://www.aclu-sdic.org/press-releases/court-finds-border-patrol-violated-federal-court-order-during-sacramento-raids/

Human Rights Watch warns of the dangers of U.S. police responses to mental health and substance use

https://www.hrw.org/report/2026/03/30/self-determination-is-the-pathway-to-liberation/alternative-mental-health-crisis

Amnesty International urges U.S. to uphold human rights during the World Cup

The USA under President Trump – where three-quarters of World Cup matches will be held – is facing a human rights emergency marked by discriminatory immigration policies, mass detentions and arbitrary arrests by masked, armed agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Customs and Border Protection and other agencies. “The US Government has deported more than 500,000 people from the USA in 2025 – more than six times as many people than will watch the World Cup final in the MetLife Stadium,” said Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn. “The record-breaking surge of unlawful arrests and deportations has only been possible because of the erosion of due process safeguards, undermining the rights to liberty and security of hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees. These policies have torn communities apart and created a climate of fear throughout the USA. It’s a deeply troubling time in the US, which will certainly extend to fans who want to take part in World Cup celebrations.”

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/global-fifa-and-world-cup-hosts-must-prevent-tournament-becoming-a-threat-to-fans-and-communities/

UN Human Rights Chief Calls Out Trump’s FCC for Threatening Media Over Iran War Coverage

https://www.commondreams.org/news/brendan-carr-iran-war-coverage

Trump Targets U.N. Investigator Who Spoke Out Against Gaza. Now She can’t Use Her Credit Cards

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/30/gaza-israel-un-criticize-us-sanction-00850477

Trump says he’s considering pulling out of NATO

https://www.politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-considering-pulling-out-of-nato/

What’s being named after Trump in America? See the list

“I’ve never seen this kind of scale to rename places after a living person in the way we are seeing it over President Trump,” Rose-Redwood previously told USA TODAY. “The scale of it is unprecedented in modern times.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/02/trump-name-airports-roads-buildings/89421582007/

Opposing ICE Might Save the Country. It Could Also Ruin Your Life

https://archive.ph/b0nVp

Migrant Insider

SCOOP: Apple Made ICE Agents a Protected Class

WASHINGTON — Apple has quie…

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7 months ago · 106 likes · 26 comments · Pablo Manríquez

How Thomson Reuters Powers ICE and Palantir

https://archive.ph/3boFf

US Tech Companies Must be Accountable for Facilitating Persecution and Torture Abroad

“There is a growing set of companies—including American companies—that provide surveillance technologies that are vulnerable to, and indeed are being used to, support gross human rights abuses. Because of this, the outcome of this case will have profound implications for millions of people who rely on digital technologies in their everyday lives, including to practice their religion.”

https://www.eff.org/document/2026-03-27-eff-amicus-brief-cisco-v-doe-scotus

How to stop photos from giving away your location

https://archive.ph/gbm8b

Trump Illegally Ended Parole for Immigrants Who Used Biden-Era App

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-blocks-trump-termination-parole-migrants-legally-entered-us-usin-rcna266078

Family Says Immigrant Girl, 3, Was Sexually Abused While In Federal Custody

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-texas-trump-detention-abuse-b799ace25087c594339298685438e888

Death of a nearly blind refugee left at a Buffalo doughnut shop by Border Patrol is ruled a murder

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/death-of-a-refugee-left-at-a-buffalo-doughnut-shop-by-border-patrol-is-ruled-a-homicide

Unmasking the Paramilitary Agents (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) Behind Trump’s Violent Immigration Crackdown

https://archive.ph/YJmDK

Staggering Number Of Deaths In ICE Custody During Trump’s Second Term

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-detention-deaths_n_69c47a59e4b081f8eb14d37f

Trump administration is charging a skyrocketing number of migrants with trespassing in military zones along Southern border

“Since April of last year, we found, at least 4,700 immigrants already charged with entering the country illegally faced these military trespass charges; at least one had to wait in jail for more than a month to stand trial. Most of the charges didn’t stick. In fact, we found that in 60% of the resolved cases, the trespass charges were dropped or dismissed. Yet prosecutors kept filing them.”

https://www.propublica.org/article/military-zones-border-migrants-charges

Why We Went Looking for National Defense Areas Along the U.S. Southern Border

“Within months of President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, prosecutors began filing obscure charges related to trespassing on military property — so many, in fact, that more cases were filed in 2025 than in the prior decade. Nearly all of these charges originated from cases along the U.S. southern border, where last spring, the White House designated large swaths of land as national defense areas. Putting them under military authority allowed troops to play an unprecedented role in apprehending undocumented immigrants; federal soldiers are generally barred from enforcing the law on domestic soil. If you were caught in one of these zones, the government could also now prosecute you for breaking federal laws, including one enacted in 1909 to keep spies away from arsenals.”

https://www.propublica.org/article/military-zones-border-migrants-charges

Trump’s DOJ Is Pursuing an Unprecedented Legal Strategy to Target Border Crossers

https://www.propublica.org/article/immigration-military-trespassing-charges-pam-bondi

Two Thirds of People Arrested by ICE in Minnesota Surge Had No Criminal Records
https://archive.ph/LskAn

Judge says border officials violated her previous order on warrantless arrests

https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-says-border-patrol-defied-orders-when-arresting-day-laborers-without-proper-warrants/

6 Minnesota residents sue DHS over warrantless ICE raids

https://www.courthousenews.com/minnesotans-sue-feds-over-warrantless-ice-raids/

Trump’s Justice Department Dropped 23K Criminal Investigations After Shifting to Immigration

In February 2025 alone, which included the first weeks of Pam Bondi’s tenure, nearly 11,000 cases were declined, the most in a month since at least 2004. The previous high was just over 6,500 cases in September 2019, during Trump’s first administration. In doing so, the DOJ is retreating from its mission to impartially uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe and protect civil rights, according to interviews with a dozen prosecutors and an open letter from nearly 300 DOJ employees who have left the department under Trump. The Trump DOJ, the employees wrote, is “taking a sledgehammer” to long-standing work to “protect communities and the rule of law.”

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-doj-immigration-bondi-declinations-criminal-investigations

The People Trump Pardoned Are on a Crime Spree

https://archive.ph/lWcKw

Trump Denounced for Enabling ‘Crime Spree’ With Mass Pardon of Capitol Insurrectionists

https://www.commondreams.org/news/jan-6-pardons-new-crime

Members of Jan. 6 mob sue police who fended off Capitol attack
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/30/jan-6-lawsuit-capitol-police-00850890

Rolling Stones warned Trump could ‘revoke their US visa’ after Melania criticism

https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/trump-rolling-stones-melania-criticism-36940582

Trump suggests Erika Kirk should sue comedian who mocked MAGA women

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-begs-erika-kirk-to-sue-comedian-druski-for-mocking-maga/

Hegseth injects combative Christianity into America’s military

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5803295-hegseth-christianity-military-pentagon/

Hegseth Undermines Army After Cringe Kid Rock Stunt

https://www.thedailybeast.com/hegseth-makes-shock-announcement-after-cringe-kid-rock-stunt/

Trump said ‘Army pilots may have been defending Kid Rock because they like him’

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gx2rw87e9o

Hegseth says ‘no punishment’ for Army pilots who flew Apache helicopters near Kid Rock’s house

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/army-suspends-helicopter-aircrew-that-flew-near-kid-rocks-house-official-says-2026-03-31/

RED FLAG WARNING: U.S. Army flew Apache helicopters over No-Kings Protests

A spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, said their presence was “entirely coincidental” to “No Kings” protests in Nashville.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/apache-helicopters-seen-kid-rocks-home-viral-videos-training-route-arm-rcna265898

“Military ​helicopters were also seen flying close to demonstrators in the city, ⁠who were taking part in protests decrying Trump’s aggressive deportation efforts, war ​in Iran and other policies.”
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-army-reviewing-helicopters-near-kid-rocks-house-anti-trump-protests-2026-03-30/

No-Kings/Anti-Trump protest leader charged with felony chalking on the street in front of Tesla dealership

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/03/da-rosen-stanford-protest/

Grandmother Faces Trial in Alabama for Wearing Penis Costume to No-Kings Protest

Fairhope Police Cpl. Andrew Babb asks where the zipper is and, as he peels off the penis suit, asks Renea Gamble for her name. She replies, “Aunt Tifa.” Rather than dropping the case, the Fairhope city attorney slapped Gamble with additional charges earlier this year: disturbing the peace and giving a false name to law enforcement. Her trial, first set to take place months ago, has been delayed multiple times. It is now set for April 15.

https://archive.ph/9pqxf

OR police charged man in a frog costume with second-degree attempted disorderly conduct for protesting in front of ICE facility
https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/authorities-temporarily-prohibit-portland-frog-from-being-near-ice-facility/

Charges filed against bounty hunters who drew ‘replica firearms’ at anti-ICE protesters

https://archive.ph/ZfZyi

Migrant Insider

Three Judges, Three Presidents, One Answer: Feds Can't Shoot Journalists Covering ICE Raids

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court panel that crossed every line of presidential appointment upheld a preliminary injunction Wednesday shielding journalists, protesters, and legal observers from th…

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a month ago · 77 likes · 7 comments · Pablo Manríquez

Punished for Protesting, Talking to Press, and Having a Toothache and More

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/ice-dilley-family-detention-center-texas-punished-protest-media-toothache-santa-claus/

Trump Counterterror Officials Plan Antifa Summit (Black Lives Matter, Stop Cop-City, No-Kings Protests)
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-counterterror-officials-plan-antifa-summit-sources-say-2026-03-31/

Two Young Boys Were Arrested by ICE. Then Ms. Rachel Shared Their Stories

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/03/ms-rachel-ice-dilley-detention-center-accurso/

ICE agents smash immigration lawyer’s window as client dragged from car

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/ice-agents-smash-car-window-south-jersey/4376092/

ICE took the wrong people in Vermont — and got called on it. A reckoning may be coming

https://vtdigger.org/2026/03/30/ice-took-the-wrong-people-and-got-called-on-it-a-reckoning-may-be-coming/

Appeals court rejects Trump administration’s push to impose new conditions on homelessness funding

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/01/nx-s1-5770629/appeals-court-rejects-hud-homelessness-overhaul

DHS Launches Massive “Less Lethal” Chemical Weapons Buying Spree

“The sheer quantity and the myriad different weapons is the most remarkable thing to me,” Rohini Haar, an emergency physician and researcher of less lethal ordnance told The Intercept. “When there’s so many different kinds, it makes you question, tactically, what’s the goal there?”

https://theintercept.com/2026/04/03/less-lethal-chemical-weapons-tear-gas-protests/

White House blames Democrats for record-breaking DHS shutdown after House Republicans reject Senate’s compromise bill

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/30/donald-trump-shutdown-ice-dhs-tsa-airports-iran-jd-vance-latest-news-updates

Lawmakers caught on vacation amid record-breaking DHS shutdown

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/see-it-lawmakers-caught-vacation-amid-record-breaking-shutdown-while-dhs-workers-go-unpaid

Major Trump donors have received billions in ICE contracts (GEO Group and CoreCivic)

https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2026/03/some-major-trump-donors-are-now-reaping-billions-in-ice-contracts

Trump Seeks $152M To Reopen Alcatraz As Active Prison
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-seeks-152-million-reopen-alcatraz-active-prison-2026-04-03/

The U.S. Marshals Service lost 223 people in 2024

But the documents do note that nearly twice as many Deputy U.S. Marshals (DUSM) left the Service (223) as were hired (122) in FY24, and that only about 100 individuals were working full-time in the Judicial Security Division and Office of Protective Intelligence between FY20 and FY24, a surprising admission given the years-long upward trajectory of threats and the fact that there are 94 federal districts (i.e., this is akin to one official per district).

https://fixthecourt.com/2026/03/document-dump-what-we-can-learn-from-our-recent-foias-to-the-u-s-marshals-service/

US government requests for social media user data are soaring

New research from Proton shows the consequences of that system at scale. Over the past decade, Google, Apple, and Meta have shared data from more than 3.5 million user accounts with US authorities — a 770% increase since companies began reporting these requests. When combined with disclosures under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), that total balloons to 6.9 million.

https://proton.me/blog/big-tech-government-requests-parenting

Trump’s OMB gives blanket approval for USCIS social media surveillance

https://papersplease.org/wp/2026/04/01/omb-gives-blanket-approval-for-uscis-social-media-surveillance/

US and EU Enter Formal Negotiations for Biometric Data-Sharing Agreement

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/negotiating-an-eu-us-biometric-information-sharing-agreement/

DHS tests Aware Intelligent Liveness facial recognition smartphone verification

Intelligent Liveness merges the convenience of passive approaches with the accuracy of active verification, without burdening the user with additional actions or complexity.

https://aware.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/aware-delivers-high-security-liveness-frictionless-user

The TSA’s Crewmember Access Point Program uses facial recognition to ID flight crew members

https://sam.gov/opp/66cb5e79adc8434b80a672de9680e77d/view

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to use “Enhanced Passenger Processing” facial recognition to ID passengers

https://airportscouncil.org/2026/03/17/phoenix-sky-harbor-launches-enhanced-passenger-processing-for-international-arrivals/

Fargo Police Refuse To Apologize To TN Grandma Jailed on Bogus Facial Recognition Evidence

https://reason.com/2026/03/30/fargo-police-refuse-to-apologize-to-tennessee-grandma-jailed-on-bogus-ai-evidence/

‘It’s a Wild West’: AI watchdogs say police facial recognition errors on the rise

https://archive.ph/U8HIE

Meta unveils spying Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics ​and Ray-Ban Meta Scriber Optics for $500 a piece

https://www.meta.com/blog/ray-ban-meta-styles-prescription-lenses

Over 60 Civil Society Groups Oppose Meta’s Plan to Integrate Facial Recognition into Smart Glasses

A diverse group of 64 civil society organizations, led by the Consumer Federation of America & UltraViolet Action, sent a letter to Congress, enforcement agencies, Meta leadership, and EssilorLuxottica—the owners of Ray-Ban and Oakley and the partners and developers of Meta glasses—vehemently opposing plans to integrate facial recognition features into Meta glasses.

https://consumerfed.org/press_release/over-60-civil-society-groups-oppose-metas-plan-to-integrate-facial-recognition-into-smart-glasses-warn-of-widespread-surveillance-risks/

https://epic.org/epic-joins-coalition-call-to-halt-metas-plans-for-facial-recognition-smart-glasses/

What it takes to fool facial recognition

https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/privacy/face-value-what-takes-fool-facial-recognition/

FTC Takes Action Against Match and OkCupid for Sharing Customer’s Personal Data with Facial Recognition Company Clarifai
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-takes-action-against-match-okcupid-deceiving-users-sharing-personal-data-third-party

Alcatraz raises $50M to expand facial recognition in universities, sports stadiums and companies

“The company’s customers already include the world’s largest AI data centers, major U.S. airports, energy companies, NFL teams, major universities, and Fortune 100 companies.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alcatraz-raises-50-million-to-replace-the-badge-with-your-face--without-sacrificing-privacy-302732431.html

With its new app store, Ring bets on AI to go beyond home security

https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/31/ring-app-store-bets-on-ai-to-go-beyond-home-security/

Where are the numbers? by Norman Fenton and Martin Neil

I've regained control of my hacked X account

On 18th March 2026 I lost control of my X acount account as I described here…

Read more

a month ago · 78 likes · 20 comments · Norman Fenton

Group Pushing Age Verification Requirements for AI Turns Out to Be Sneakily Backed by OpenAI

https://gizmodo.com/group-pushing-age-verification-requirements-for-ai-turns-out-to-be-sneakily-backed-by-openai-2000741069

DISGUSTED: Amazon wins partial dismissal in Alexa wiretapping class action

https://www.courthousenews.com/amazon-wins-partial-dismissal-in-alexa-wiretapping-class-action/

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Protection praises 702 powers, raising questions about independence

https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/04/single-member-surveillance-watchdog-backs-702-powers-raising-independence-questions/412595

Trump administration gives Mitre Corporation $750K to expand DHS drones

https://fedscoop.com/dhs-drone-uas-fcc-license-spectrum/

Police Drones in 2026: The complete guide to law enforcement UAS

“Intelligent observation and pre-tactical reconnaissance In the military, reconnaissance means preliminary observation or research to obtain information for a mission. In policing, standing patrols often provide reconnaissance. These units can be tough to staff given workforce shortages. In their place, drones can act as high-speed scouts. Covert intelligence: Modern tactical drones are designed with low-profile frames and silent rotors. This allows them to gather intelligence during active operations without alerting suspects. Silent overwatch also enhances the safety of ground units during high-risk operations. Drone technology provides an unmatched field of view during large public events at a fraction of the cost of manned helicopters. By deploying UAVs, police gain enhanced situational awareness.” (situational awareness is another term for surveillance.)

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/blog/police-drones

Pro-drone article calls police drone surveillance “pre-arrival intelligence”

Pre-Arrival Intelligence as a Safety and Risk-Reduction Tool : “As these are outdoor applications in public spaces, there is no expectation of privacy. That said, for SWAT specifically, when they are breaching or going indoors, it is assumed they would follow normal Freedom of Information Act and video release practices regarding privacy. “

https://www.domesticpreparedness.com/articles/how-drone-as-first-responder-programs-are-reshaping-public-safety-operations/

New Orleans police claim expanding their drone program isn’t about spying on the public

“It is a safety tool versus a surveillance tool,” said NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick in an interview on Monday, adding that the drone “would allow us to better serve — and more quickly — this area.”

https://archive.ph/5OQJT

Chula Vista Cop writes police drone propaganda article

https://porac.org/article/eyes-in-the-sky/

POLICE DRONE PROPAGANDA: Philadelphia students learn drone skills with police during spring break camp

The partnership between the school district and police brings high-tech learning directly to local students in Point Breeze. For some, the experience was eye-opening. “I think I want to be a police officer one day to fly these drones.. not just to spy on people,” said Fifth grader Tristan Ragin. “And you are basically helping people,” Ragin said.

https://www.fox29.com/news/philadelphia-students-learn-drone-skills-police-during-spring-break-camp

Police used drones to spy on Cincinnati Reds Opening Day fans

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/2026/04/01/cincinnati-drone-cops-were-used-during-opening-day-street-takeover/89392044007/

Neenah police claim surveillance drones “enhance community safety”

“Police used drones for demonstrations for the Citizens Police Academy and Neenah’s Night Out.”

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/neenah-police-drone-program-enhances-community-safety/

Rosemont police launch surveillance drones drones to “enhance public safety”

https://www.rosemountmn.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/632

Olathe police launch surveillance drones as first responders surveillance program

https://fox4kc.com/news/olathe-police-department-launches-program-that-deploys-drones-as-first-responders/

Stockton police ignore privacy concerns and purchase Flock Safety surveillance drones as first responders

https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/politics/government/2026/04/02/stockton-police-flock-drone-program-public-raises-surveillance-concerns/89414806007/

Butte County sheriff claims surveillance drones, armored rescue vehicles, less‑lethal launchers, tear gas and acoustic devices are not military equipment

https://www.gridleyherald.com/2026/03/31/568572/sheriff-defends-use-of-police-equipment

Manna Raises $50M to Expand Surveillance Drone Delivery Network in the U.S.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260310714366/en/Manna-Air-Delivery-Raises-%2450Million-Series-B-as-It-Announces-Plans-to-Expand-in-the-United-States

Police Violence

Liberal Group Warns That Trump Could Have Two More Supreme Court Picks

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/us/politics/trump-supreme-court-justices-vacancies.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YFA.uWrc.mzPb6IOBNh9L&smid=url-share