• A while back we told you about ISS World America, a conference where surveillance and interception companies meet with their benefactors in government and law enforcement to discuss the latest trends, technologies and methods of intercepting communications traffic. Yesterday, one of Secretary of State Clinton's top advisers issued a stream of tweets admonishing the head of ISS for what appears to be the group's consistent disinterest in addressing human rights abuses related to their business. The advisor, Alec Ross, accused the company of creating "life or death consequences" for activists in the Middle East, who have been targeted by their repressive regimes using tools sold and promoted by ISS and like-companies. Kudos to Alec Ross for doing so. But his righteous indignation may fall on deaf ears in countries such as Bahrain, where US weapons are being shipped to help put down a people's rebellion against the repressive regime. His admonishments may also fall flat in the United States, where warrantless spying and deep packet inspection internet surveillance are fully legal, and supported by those same firms Ross criticized so publicly for immoral engagement in countries like Egypt. Mr. Ross, will you also criticize the US government for inappropriately spying on its own citizens, who have committed no crimes? Will you take a stand for human rights at home as you so eloquently did for human rights in Egypt?
• The Guardian has a very good piece on how contractors at ISS are increasingly using hacking techniques to surveil and disrupt organizers in the United States. They also published a very disturbing piece this week about the UK government's use of a cell phone disrupting technology capable of turning phones off in a geographic area. Read security expert Bruce Schneier on this technology.
• Is the Occupy movement revelaing a trend towards the militarization of policing in the United States?
• The economy is in a shambles, but the defense industry is booming. If you are interested in working as an "intelligence" contractor, your job prospects are looking pretty good.
• And finally, yet another important story from the Guardian this week, this one on how the US government secretly reads your email.