Law

And here we go again . . .

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Looks like Anonymous teamed up with Wikileaks to release a load of hacked emails taken from Stratfor.  Admittedly we’re all a bit numb to hack news these days, but there’s a few important takeaways.

  • It’s Anonymous teaming up with Wikileaks.  Even in it’s worn-down state, Wikileaks has reach and this may revive them.
  • Stratfor has some big name clients – I’ve been seeing analysis of what’s come up drift around the internet today.
  • Any security or intelligence company is a target, because of A) clients, and B) being about security/intelligence is seen as some as an invitation to try it out.  That’s a powerful combination.
  • We might see another wave of hacks, the article hints at.
  • Hacking is slowly becoming a norm.  It seems it’s not as unusual anymore.
  • I suspect every hack out there just increases the market for security firms and IT security personnel.

– Steven Savage

 

Quick ACTA UPDATE

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Germany and Latvia delay ratification of ACTA. This may increase the ability for ACTA to also die slowly. Note there's a lot of resistance in the Slavic countries.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • This thing is a long way from done, or approved, and with protests gearing up I don't think it's going to happen.
  • Also, national issues and feelings may be a big boundary ("why should I do what THAT country says.").
  • Unifited world protests oper these bills is a definite possibility.  It could lead to some strange alliances and interesting political repercussions.

– Steven Savage

ACTA Protests All Over

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The article shows how people are protesting against it – and more.  Maps, quotes and more will help you get an idea of how incredibly angry people are.

Money Quote: "This is not Hollywood versus Silicon Valley, as oldmedia likes to frame it. This is Hollywood versus The People."

To bring it a bit more into focus for the blog, it appears a lot of businesses who make media have continued to make a lot of enemies who are very aware – and are unifying.  This is big for us who speak to progeekery because you can expect A) some strange last-gasp activities from Big Media, and B) A lot of changes, reactions, overreactions, new ventures, and more to come out of this.

It also means, beyond the great political and economic and ethical discussions, those of us working in media are going to face – one way or another – a vastly different future than we we would have expected years or decades ago.  It's only how the change will be handled that differs.

– Steven Savage