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Alec is a technologist, writer & security consultant who has worked in host and network security for more than 30 years, with 25 of those in industry.
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Age Verification is Digital ID

2026-07-04 06:19:43

Must-Watch Video from NO2ID

India asks WhatsApp to pause username feature rollout over fraud concerns – BBC News

2026-07-02 23:15:17

The first reaction of any government to increased freedoms for people to communicate: panic and then attempt to control it

The notice cites provisions of India’s Information Technology Act and the country’s technology rules governing intermediary due diligence, identity theft and impersonation offences.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg8e0n9l41o

Remember, folks: coordinated misinformation campaigns only happen on the internet / in social media, not in the fact-checked, trustworthy mainstream press

2026-07-02 09:13:21

“UK newspapers have already published 63 editorials this year calling for more oil and gas extraction in the North Sea…

“Experts say trying to extract the last barrels of domestic oil and gas would have no impact on people’s energy bills and very little effect on energy security”

https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-newspapers-have-already-printed-63-editorials-in-2026-backing-north-sea-drilling/

Mullvad, Napoleon and Sun Tzu: it would be wise for civil society to take a look in the mirror

2026-07-01 23:58:03

There is a famous dictum in warfare, attributed as a summary of the strategy of either/both Napoleon or Sun-Tzu:

“If your enemy is making a mistake, do not stop them.”


So if we look at this situation and flip the script:

“Person who has odious political beliefs is co-owner of company that overtly supports and funds organisations and technologies which undermine the pursuit of their personal politics”

…it’s pretty clear the discussion we are having is in the realm of:

“Here is someone with political beliefs that we* do not like, who is making a strategic mistake; and we should let them continue to make that mistake and amplify it, by loudly doing our jobs to undermine their aims whilst continuing also to loudly criticise their politics.”

Of course one could walk away from the battlefield, but that would be to cede territory to the opposition: a morally pure but strategically debilitating choice.

*Pardon my use of the collective “we” if it does not include you, dear reader.

Online Age Verification Law Could Kill Whistleblowing

2026-06-29 09:57:12

Threats to online anonymity harm everyone, but one group is often overlooked: journalists and the sources who talk to them. Age verification requirements will help the Trump administration carry out its vendetta against the press by creating new avenues to identify journalists’ confidential sources. 

https://theintercept.com/2026/06/28/age-verification-privacy-surveillance-journalists-whistleblowers/