Notices by The Calyx Institute (calyxinstitute@mastodon.social)

Happy Pride Month! Protect yourself and your data with EFF's essential tips for LGBTQ+ people to stay safe online: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/standing-lgbtq-digital-safety-international-day-against-homophobia

“Businesses are increasingly using AI to boost efficiency and productivity in the workplace. But there are currently no safeguards to prevent machines from unjustly or illegally impacting workers’ livelihoods and working conditions” https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025/04/21/what-no-robo-bosses-could-mean-for-employee-data-and-privacy-security

"Palantir's engagement with ICE is facilitating and enabling abuses and violation of rights—rights like due process which extend to all in the US, regardless of citizenship status." https://www.404media.co/ice-just-paid-palantir-tens-of-millions-for-complete-target-analysis-of-known-populations/

"If you don’t want to take the time to make a bunch of changes, and you don’t think you’re at particular risk during border crossings (though keep in mind that it’s possible your risk is higher than you realize), there are still a few easy things you can do to protect your digital privacy that are better than nothing." https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protect-yourself-from-phone-searches-at-the-us-border/

"The report, which surveyed 1,500 people, found that a majority feel increasingly vulnerable to privacy violations from corporations, governments, AI tools and scammers, contributing to widespread institutional distrust." https://statescoop.com/data-privacy-survey-malwarebytes-2025/

When can border agents can legally conduct searches of travelers’ electronic devices at international airports and other ports of entry? The answer is less clear than ever, but ACLU Florida has more info and tips for travelers to safeguard devices and data. https://www.aclufl.org/en/news/can-border-agents-search-your-electronic-devices-its-complicated

https://citizenlab.ca/2025/03/a-first-look-at-paragons-proliferating-spyware-operations/
The first Citizen Lab investigation into spyware company Paragon Solutions reveals multiple threads linked to the proliferation of its mercenary spyware operations across the globe.

Every form of electronic activity comes with a risk of being monitored. Check out this tip sheet from our friends at S.T.O.P. for steps you can take toward securer devices & communication https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2025/3/19/securer-devices-and-communication

"Even if you don’t care about giving China your data, it is not safe to use any application that doesn’t use encryption by default." Check out @eff's analysis of Xiohongshu AKA Rednote's privacy impact here: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/crimson-memo-analyzing-privacy-impact-xiaohongshu-aka-red-note

Under a new online monitoring contract, the government could include more aggressive online monitoring tools to keep closer tabs on those who vocally oppose Trump’s immigration agenda. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ice-monitor-social-media-negative-b2697219.html

It's all connected: digital privacy and reproductive justice go hand-in-hand. Restricting access to location-based data gathering called geofencing helps protect individuals' access to abortion and other health services from snooping by parties like data brokers, who can purchase this location data in bulk and use or disclose it to law enforcement agencies, political groups, and advertising companies. https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/protecting-reproductive-health-data-state-laws-against-geofencing-2025-01-02/

"Worst-in-show": a panel of "self-described dystopia experts" reviews the least repairable, least private, and most baffling products on display at CES, like a washing machine with the ability to make phone calls.
https://apnews.com/article/ces-worst-show-tech-ai-ba0f44b2befe4296f6ff46e7cd76903e#

In 2025, we will share bite-sized digital privacy and security tips to spread the word about individual online safety and security. To learn more about our New Year's resolutions and get involved, come visit us at https://calyxinstitute.org/news/2024/whats-your-resolution-for-2025