#Safeguarding Digital Evidence

[forensicfield]

Safeguarding Digital Evidence: Best Practices in Disk Forensics for Indian Organizations

Protecting digital evidence has become crucial in the current digital era, as data breaches and cybercrimes are becoming more common. Digital forensics, or disc forensics, is a field vital to the investigation of frauds, cybercrimes, and.. #cyberforensic

Continue reading Safeguarding Digital Evidence: Best Practices in Disk Forensics for Indian Organizations

[sophiamcdougall]

You're a reasonably informed person on the internet. You've experienced things like no longer being able to get files off an old storage device, media you've downloaded suddenly going poof, sites and forums with troves full of people's thoughts and ideas vanishing forever. You've heard of cybercrime. You've read articles about lost media. You have at least a basic understanding that digital data is vulnerable, is what I'm saying. I'm guessing that you're also aware that history is, you know... important? And that it's an ongoing study, requiring ... data about how people live? And that it's not just about stanning celebrities that happen to be dead? Congratulations, you are significantly better-informed than the British government! So they're currently like "Oh hai can we destroy all these historical documents pls? To save money? Because we'll digitise them first so it's fine! That'll be easy, cheap and reliable -- right? These wills from the 1850s will totally be fine for another 170 years as a PNG or whatever, yeah? We didn't need to do an impact assesment about this because it's clearly win-win! We'd keep the physical wills of Famous People™ though because Famous People™ actually matter, unlike you plebs. We don't think there are any equalities implications about this, either! Also the only examples of Famous People™ we can think of are all white and rich, only one is a woman and she got famous because of the guy she married. Kisses!"

Yes, this is the same Government that's like "Oh no removing a statue of slave trader is erasing history :(" You have, however, until 23 February 2024 to politely inquire of them what the fuck they are smoking. And they will have to publish a summary of the responses they receive. And it will look kind of bad if the feedback is well-argued, informative and overwhelmingly negative and they go ahead and do it anyway. I currently edit documents including responses to consultations like (but significantly less insane) than this one. Responses do actually matter. I would particularly encourage British people/people based in the UK to do this, but as far as I can see it doesn't say you have to be either. If you are, say, a historian or an archivist, or someone who specialises in digital data do say so and draw on your expertise in your answers. This isn't a question of filling out a form. You have to manually compose an email answering the 12 questions in the consultation paper at the link above. I'll put my own answers under the fold. Note -- I never know if I'm being too rude in these sorts of things. You probably shouldn't be ruder than I have been.

Please do not copy and paste any of this: that would defeat the purpose. This isn't a petition, they need to see a range of individual responses. But it may give you a jumping-off point.

Question 1: Should the current law providing for the inspection of wills be preserved?

Yes. Our ability to understand our shared past is a fundamental aspect of our heritage. It is not possible for any authority to know in advance what future insights they are supporting or impeding by their treatment of material evidence. Safeguarding the historical record for future generations should be considered an extremely important duty.

Question 2: Are there any reforms you would suggest to the current law enabling wills to be inspected?

No.

Question 3: Are there any reasons why the High Court should store original paper will documents on a permanent basis, as opposed to just retaining a digitised copy of that material?

Yes. I am amazed that the recent cyber attack on the British Library, which has effectively paralysed it completely, not been sufficient to answer this question for you.  I also refer you to the fate of the Domesday Project. Digital storage is useful and can help more people access information; however, it is also inherently fragile. Malice, accident, or eventual inevitable obsolescence not merely might occur, but absolutely should be expected. It is ludicrously naive and reflects a truly unpardonable ignorance to assume that information preserved only in digital form is somehow inviolable and safe, or that a physical document once digitised, never need be digitised again..At absolute minimum, it should be understood as certain that at least some of any digital-only archive will eventually be permanently lost. It is not remotely implausible that all of it would be. Preserving the physical documents provides a crucial failsafe. It also allows any errors in reproduction -- also inevitable-- to be, eventually, seen and corrected. Note that maintaining, upgrading and replacing digital infrastructure is not free, easy or reliable. Over the long term, risks to the data concerned can only accumulate.

"Unlike the methods for preserving analog documents that have been honed over millennia, there is no deep precedence to look to regarding the management of digital records. As such, the processing, long-term storage, and distribution potential of archival digital data are highly unresolved issues. [..] the more digital data is migrated, translated, and re-compressed into new formats, the more room there is for information to be lost, be it at the microbit-level of preservation. Any failure to contend with the instability of digital storage mediums, hardware obsolescence, and software obsolescence thus meets a terminal end—the definitive loss of information. The common belief that digital data is safe so long as it is backed up according to the 3-2-1 rule (3 copies on 2 different formats with 1 copy saved off site) belies the fact that it is fundamentally unclear how long digital information can or will remain intact. What is certain is that its unique vulnerabilities do become more pertinent with age."  -- James Boyda, On Loss in the 21st Century: Digital Decay and the Archive, Introduction.

Question 4: Do you agree that after a certain time original paper documents (from 1858 onwards) may be destroyed (other than for famous individuals)? Are there any alternatives, involving the public or private sector, you can suggest to their being destroyed?

Absolutely not. And I would have hoped we were past the "great man" theory of history. Firstly, you do not know which figures will still be considered "famous" in the future and which currently obscure individuals may deserve and eventually receive greater attention. I note that of the three figures you mention here as notable enough to have their wills preserved, all are white, the majority are male (the one woman having achieved fame through marriage) and all were wealthy at the time of their death. Any such approach will certainly cull evidence of the lives of women, people of colour and the poor from the historical record, and send a clear message about whose lives you consider worth remembering.

Secondly, the famous and successsful are only a small part of our history. Understanding the realities that shaped our past and continue to mould our present requires evidence of the lives of so-called "ordinary people"!

Did you even speak to any historians before coming up with this idea?

Entrusting the documents to the private sector would be similarly disastrous. What happens when a private company goes bust or decides that preserving this material is no longer profitable? What reasonable person, confronted with our crumbling privatised water infrastructure, would willingly consign any part of our heritage to a similar fate?

Question 5: Do you agree that there is equivalence between paper and digital copies of wills so that the ECA 2000 can be used?

No. And it raises serious questions about the skill and knowledge base within HMCTS and the government that the very basic concepts of data loss and the digital dark age appear to be unknown to you. I also refer you to the Domesday Project.

Question 6: Are there any other matters directly related to the retention of digital or paper wills that are not covered by the proposed exercise of the powers in the ECA 2000 that you consider are necessary?

Destroying the physical documents will always be an unforgivable dereliction of legal and moral duty.

Question 7: If the Government pursues preserving permanently only a digital copy of a will document, should it seek to reform the primary legislation by introducing a Bill or do so under the ECA 2000?

Destroying the physical documents will always be an unforgivable dereliction of legal and moral duty.

Question 8: If the Government moves to digital only copies of original will documents, what do you think the retention period for the original paper wills should be? Please give reasons and state what you believe the minimum retention period should be and whether you consider the Government’s suggestion of 25 years to be reasonable.

There is no good version of this plan. The physical documents should be preserved.

Question 9: Do you agree with the principle that wills of famous people should be preserved in the original paper form for historic interest?

This question betrays deep ignorance of what "historic interest" actually is. The study of history is not simply glorified celebrity gossip. If anything, the physical wills of currently famous people could be considered more expendable as it is likely that their contents are so widely diffused as to be relatively "safe", whereas the wills of so-called "ordinary people" will, especially in aggregate, provide insights that have not yet been explored.

Question 10: Do you have any initial suggestions on the criteria which should be adopted for identifying famous/historic figures whose original paper will document should be preserved permanently?

Abandon this entire lamentable plan. As previously discussed, you do not and cannot know who will be considered "famous" in the future, and fame is a profoundly flawed criterion of historical significance.

Question 11: Do you agree that the Probate Registries should only permanently retain wills and codicils from the documents submitted in support of a probate application? Please explain, if setting out the case for retention of any other documents.

No, all the documents should be preserved indefinitely.

Question 12: Do you agree that we have correctly identified the range and extent of the equalities impacts under each of these proposals set out in this consultation? Please give reasons and supply evidence of further equalities impacts as appropriate.

No. You appear to have neglected equalities impacts entirely. As discussed, in your drive to prioritise "famous people", your plan will certainly prioritise the white, wealthy and mostly the male, as your "Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin and Princess Diana" examples amply indicate. This plan will create a two-tier system where evidence of the lives of the privileged is carefully preserved while information regarding people of colour, women, the working class and other disadvantaged groups is disproportionately abandoned to digital decay and eventual loss. Current and future historians from, or specialising in the history of minority groups will be especially impoverished by this.  

[proudfreakmetarusonikku]

Friendly reminder that Dream repeatedly made sexual jokes about actual teenagers, including a thirteen year old, sometimes after being asked to stop (keep in mind he was 21/22, five years older than Tommy and eight years older than Lani) up to and including coercing Tommy into saying he loved him in private DMs or he’d destroy Tubbo's villagers (then getting shocked that Tommy could find it weird) there’s been evidence of him pushing extremely important boundaries on safeguarding as some sort of fucked up joke for YEARS. Even in the most charitable possible interpretation he thought acting like a creep in private to a teenager was something extremely funny to tell an audience that skews very young (if you’ve been to any events for these guys, they’re primarily children too young to use social media, I’m not talking about teenagers I'm talking single digit age children) and that’s something I think makes me extremely fucking skeptical he was some angel when he WASN'T in front of the cameras. If he thought that was an acceptable boundary to push while being watched, I have zero doubts he'd act like people owed him their success in private.

[darkmaga-returns]

Today’s book is:

No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State by Glenn Greenwald

A groundbreaking look at the NSA surveillance scandal, from the reporter who broke the story, Glenn Greenwald, star of Citizenfour, the Academy Award-winning documentary on Edward Snowden In May 2013, Glenn Greenwald set out for Hong Kong to meet an anonymous source who claimed to have astonishing evidence of pervasive government spying and insisted on communicating only through heavily encrypted channels. That source turned out to be the 29-year-old NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, and his revelations about the agency's widespread, systemic overreach proved to be some of the most explosive and consequential news in recent history, triggering a fierce debate over national security and information privacy. As the arguments rage on and the government considers various proposals for reform, it is clear that we have yet to see the full impact of Snowden's disclosures. Now for the first time, Greenwald fits all the pieces together, recounting his high-intensity ten-day trip to Hong Kong, examining the broader implications of the surveillance detailed in his reporting for The Guardian, and revealing fresh information on the NSA's unprecedented abuse of power with never-before-seen documents entrusted to him by Snowden himself. Going beyond NSA specifics, Greenwald also takes on the establishment media, excoriating their habitual avoidance of adversarial reporting on the government and their failure to serve the interests of the people. Finally, he asks what it means both for individuals and for a nation's political health when a government pries so invasively into the private lives of its citizens―and considers what safeguards and forms of oversight are necessary to protect democracy in the digital age. Coming at a landmark moment in American history, No Place to Hide is a fearless, incisive, and essential contribution to our understanding of the U.S. surveillance state.

You can buy the book here (Amazon link).

[mariacallous]

If Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November, the guardrails could come off of artificial intelligence development, even as the dangers of defective AI models grow increasingly serious.

Trump’s election to a second term would dramatically reshape—and possibly cripple—efforts to protect Americans from the many dangers of poorly designed artificial intelligence, including misinformation, discrimination, and the poisoning of algorithms used in technology like autonomous vehicles.

The federal government has begun overseeing and advising AI companies under an executive order that President Joe Biden issued in October 2023. But Trump has vowed to repeal that order, with the Republican Party platform saying it “hinders AI innovation” and “imposes Radical Leftwing ideas” on AI development.

Trump’s promise has thrilled critics of the executive order who see it as illegal, dangerous, and an impediment to America’s digital arms race with China. Those critics include many of Trump’s closest allies, from X CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen to Republican members of Congress and nearly two dozen GOP state attorneys general. Trump’s running mate, Ohio senator JD Vance, is staunchly opposed to AI regulation.

“Republicans don't want to rush to overregulate this industry,” says Jacob Helberg, a tech executive and AI enthusiast who has been dubbed “Silicon Valley’s Trump whisperer.”

But tech and cyber experts warn that eliminating the EO’s safety and security provisions would undermine the trustworthiness of AI models that are increasingly creeping into all aspects of American life, from transportation and medicine to employment and surveillance.

The upcoming presidential election, in other words, could help determine whether AI becomes an unparalleled tool of productivity or an uncontrollable agent of chaos.

Oversight and Advice, Hand in Hand

Biden’s order addresses everything from using AI to improve veterans’ health care to setting safeguards for AI’s use in drug discovery. But most of the political controversy over the EO stems from two provisions in the section dealing with digital security risks and real-world safety impacts.

One provision requires owners of powerful AI models to report to the government about how they’re training the models and protecting them from tampering and theft, including by providing the results of “red-team tests” designed to find vulnerabilities in AI systems by simulating attacks. The other provision directs the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to produce guidance that helps companies develop AI models that are safe from cyberattacks and free of biases.

Work on these projects is well underway. The government has proposed quarterly reporting requirements for AI developers, and NIST has released AI guidance documents on risk management, secure software development, synthetic content watermarking, and preventing model abuse, in addition to launching multiple initiatives to promote model testing.

Supporters of these efforts say they’re essential to maintaining basic government oversight of the rapidly expanding AI industry and nudging developers toward better security. But to conservative critics, the reporting requirement is illegal government overreach that will crush AI innovation and expose developers’ trade secrets, while the NIST guidance is a liberal ploy to infect AI with far-left notions about disinformation and bias that amount to censorship of conservative speech.

At a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last December, Trump took aim at Biden’s EO after alleging without evidence that the Biden administration had already used AI for nefarious purposes.

“When I’m reelected,” he said, “I will cancel Biden’s artificial intelligence executive order and ban the use of AI to censor the speech of American citizens on Day One.”

Due Diligence or Undue Burden?

Biden’s effort to collect information about how companies are developing, testing, and protecting their AI models sparked an uproar on Capitol Hill almost as soon as it debuted.

Congressional Republicans seized on the fact that Biden justified the new requirement by invoking the 1950 Defense Production Act, a wartime measure that lets the government direct private-sector activities to ensure a reliable supply of goods and services. GOP lawmakers called Biden’s move inappropriate, illegal, and unnecessary.

Conservatives have also blasted the reporting requirement as a burden on the private sector. The provision “could scare away would-be innovators and impede more ChatGPT-type breakthroughs,” Representative Nancy Mace said during a March hearing she chaired on “White House overreach on AI.”

Helberg says a burdensome requirement would benefit established companies and hurt startups. He also says Silicon Valley critics fear the requirements “are a stepping stone” to a licensing regime in which developers must receive government permission to test models.

Steve DelBianco, the CEO of the conservative tech group NetChoice, says the requirement to report red-team test results amounts to de facto censorship, given that the government will be looking for problems like bias and disinformation. “I am completely worried about a left-of-center administration … whose red-teaming tests will cause AI to constrain what it generates for fear of triggering these concerns,” he says.

Conservatives argue that any regulation that stifles AI innovation will cost the US dearly in the technology competition with China.

“They are so aggressive, and they have made dominating AI a core North Star of their strategy for how to fight and win wars,” Helberg says. “The gap between our capabilities and the Chinese keeps shrinking with every passing year.”

“Woke” Safety Standards

By including social harms in its AI security guidelines, NIST has outraged conservatives and set off another front in the culture war over content moderation and free speech.

Republicans decry the NIST guidance as a form of backdoor government censorship. Senator Ted Cruz recently slammed what he called NIST’s “woke AI ‘safety’ standards” for being part of a Biden administration “plan to control speech” based on “amorphous” social harms. NetChoice has warned NIST that it is exceeding its authority with quasi-regulatory guidelines that upset “the appropriate balance between transparency and free speech.”

Many conservatives flatly dismiss the idea that AI can perpetuate social harms and should be designed not to do so.

“This is a solution in search of a problem that really doesn't exist,” Helberg says. “There really hasn’t been massive evidence of issues in AI discrimination.”

Studies and investigations have repeatedly shown that AI models contain biases that perpetuate discrimination, including in hiring, policing, and health care. Research suggests that people who encounter these biases may unconsciously adopt them.

Conservatives worry more about AI companies’ overcorrections to this problem than about the problem itself. “There is a direct inverse correlation between the degree of wokeness in an AI and the AI's usefulness,” Helberg says, citing an early issue with Google’s generative AI platform.

Republicans want NIST to focus on AI’s physical safety risks, including its ability to help terrorists build bioweapons (something Biden’s EO does address). If Trump wins, his appointees will likely deemphasize government research on AI’s social harms. Helberg complains that the “enormous amount” of research on AI bias has dwarfed studies of “greater threats related to terrorism and biowarfare.”

Defending a “Light-Touch Approach”

AI experts and lawmakers offer robust defenses of Biden’s AI safety agenda.

These projects “enable the United States to remain on the cutting edge” of AI development “while protecting Americans from potential harms,” says Representative Ted Lieu, the Democratic cochair of the House’s AI task force.

The reporting requirements are essential for alerting the government to potentially dangerous new capabilities in increasingly powerful AI models, says a US government official who works on AI issues. The official, who requested anonymity to speak freely, points to OpenAI’s admission about its latest model’s “inconsistent refusal of requests to synthesize nerve agents.”

The official says the reporting requirement isn’t overly burdensome. They argue that, unlike AI regulations in the European Union and China, Biden’s EO reflects “a very broad, light-touch approach that continues to foster innovation.”

Nick Reese, who served as the Department of Homeland Security’s first director of emerging technology from 2019 to 2023, rejects conservative claims that the reporting requirement will jeopardize companies’ intellectual property. And he says it could actually benefit startups by encouraging them to develop “more computationally efficient,” less data-heavy AI models that fall under the reporting threshold.

AI’s power makes government oversight imperative, says Ami Fields-Meyer, who helped draft Biden’s EO as a White House tech official.

“We’re talking about companies that say they’re building the most powerful systems in the history of the world,” Fields-Meyer says. “The government’s first obligation is to protect people. ‘Trust me, we’ve got this’ is not an especially compelling argument.”

Experts praise NIST’s security guidance as a vital resource for building protections into new technology. They note that flawed AI models can produce serious social harms, including rental and lending discrimination and improper loss of government benefits.

Trump’s own first-term AI order required federal AI systems to respect civil rights, something that will require research into social harms.

The AI industry has largely welcomed Biden’s safety agenda. “What we're hearing is that it’s broadly useful to have this stuff spelled out,” the US official says. For new companies with small teams, “it expands the capacity of their folks to address these concerns.”

Rolling back Biden’s EO would send an alarming signal that “the US government is going to take a hands off approach to AI safety,” says Michael Daniel, a former presidential cyber adviser who now leads the Cyber Threat Alliance, an information sharing nonprofit.

As for competition with China, the EO’s defenders say safety rules will actually help America prevail by ensuring that US AI models work better than their Chinese rivals and are protected from Beijing’s economic espionage.

Two Very Different Paths

If Trump wins the White House next month, expect a sea change in how the government approaches AI safety.

Republicans want to prevent AI harms by applying “existing tort and statutory laws” as opposed to enacting broad new restrictions on the technology, Helberg says, and they favor “much greater focus on maximizing the opportunity afforded by AI, rather than overly focusing on risk mitigation.” That would likely spell doom for the reporting requirement and possibly some of the NIST guidance.

The reporting requirement could also face legal challenges now that the Supreme Court has weakened the deference that courts used to give agencies in evaluating their regulations.

And GOP pushback could even jeopardize NIST’s voluntary AI testing partnerships with leading companies. “What happens to those commitments in a new administration?” the US official asks.

This polarization around AI has frustrated technologists who worry that Trump will undermine the quest for safer models.

“Alongside the promises of AI are perils,” says Nicol Turner Lee, the director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation, “and it is vital that the next president continue to ensure the safety and security of these systems.”

[beardedmrbean]

What's New

The European Union has launched an investigation into TikTok over its role in Romania's recent presidential election, annulled following allegations of Russian interference.

Why It Matters

The European Commission said it is examining whether TikTok violated the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to curb risks tied to election-related misinformation and manipulation. The first round of Romania's election, held on November 24, produced a surprise front-runner: far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who benefited from an aggressive TikTok-driven campaign.

Following a decision by Romania's Constitutional Court to cancel the results, citing "preferential treatment" and evidence of foreign influence, the EU is stepping up scrutiny of the platform. The investigation comes as the EU ramps up efforts to protect elections from foreign manipulation.

What to Know

The Digital Services Act, enacted last year, imposes strict requirements on digital platforms to prevent disinformation, ensure transparency in political ads, and safeguard election integrity.

Platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to 6 percent of their global revenue.

Romania's election turmoil has sparked political upheaval and delays, with President Klaus Iohannis remaining in office until a new vote can be held. The incident has also deepened fears of civil unrest, as tensions escalate over the annulment.

In the first round of voting, Georgescu emerged as the surprise front-runner with over two million votes, despite having been considered an outsider. Intelligence reports declassified by Iohannis allege that Russian operatives coordinated thousands of fake social media accounts to boost Georgescu's popularity, particularly on TikTok.

The Romanian Intelligence Service argue that over $381,000 was funneled to TikTok influencers to promote Georgescu, amplifying his message to young and rural voters. Georgescu's TikTok account, which has over 6 million likes and 541,000 followers, was at the heart of his campaign.

What People Are Saying

Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President: "Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok, we are now thoroughly investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to tackle such risks."

Calin Georgescu, far-right candidate: "On this [election] day, the corrupt system made a pact with the devil. I have only one pact––with the Romanian people and God."

TikTok spokesperson: "TikTok has provided the European Commission with extensive information regarding these efforts, and we have transparently and publicly detailed our robust actions."

What Happens Next

The European Commission is focusing on TikTok's content recommendation systems, handling of paid political content, and ability to counter "coordinated inauthentic manipulation.

Meanwhile, Romania's leading pro-Europe political factions have announced plans to forge a rare coalition to counter the gains made by Georgescu and ensure election integrity.

President Iohannis has extended his term until a new election is scheduled, with Parliament expected to set a date after convening on December 20.

[mcginnlawfirm]

How Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle Search and Seizure Issues?

When you’re facing criminal charges, understanding your rights is essential. Search and seizure laws play a critical role in protecting people from unlawful actions by law enforcement. If these laws are in question in your case, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help ensure your rights are upheld.

Understanding the Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Law enforcement officers must have a valid warrant or probable cause to conduct a search. If they operate outside these boundaries, any evidence collected could be ruled inadmissible in court, thanks to the "exclusionary rule."

This means that if the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, the evidence obtained through their unlawful actions may not be used against you.

How Criminal Defense Attorneys Address Search and Seizure Issues

Criminal defense attorneys are vital in challenging unlawful searches and ensuring your rights are protected. Here’s how they typically handle these situations:

Thorough Investigation: Attorneys examine the circumstances surrounding the search, including police reports, witness statements, and evidence collection methods. This helps identify whether law enforcement violated proper procedures.

Identifying Unlawful Searches: Defense attorneys carefully review whether the police had the required warrant, probable cause, or followed legal procedures. If not, they can argue that the search was illegal.

Challenging Evidence: Attorneys can file a motion to suppress evidence obtained from an unlawful search. If the court agrees, this evidence cannot be used in the case, potentially weakening the prosecution’s argument.

Advocating for You: Throughout the legal process, your attorney ensures your rights are upheld, offering guidance and representation in court.

What to Do if You Believe Your Rights Were Violated

If you suspect law enforcement conducted an unlawful search, here’s what you can do to protect yourself:

Document the Incident: Write down everything you remember about the search, including the officers involved, what was said, and any actions they took.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney: Seek legal advice immediately. An experienced attorney can review your case and advise you on the next steps.

Consider Filing a Complaint: If you believe law enforcement acted improperly, you may file a complaint with the appropriate agency. This could lead to an investigation into their conduct.

Navigating Modern Search and Seizure Challenges

With advancements in technology, new issues have emerged around privacy and search laws. Tools like facial recognition software, digital surveillance, and cell phone tracking have raised questions about government overreach. A knowledgeable attorney can help you understand how these evolving issues may affect your case.

Legislative Reforms and Your Rights

Laws surrounding search and seizure are constantly evolving at both state and federal levels. Changes often aim to strengthen privacy protections and establish stricter rules for law enforcement. Staying informed about these developments—and having an attorney who understands them—is crucial to defending your rights.

Navigating the complexities of search and seizure laws can be overwhelming. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner ensures that your rights are safeguarded and that law enforcement is held accountable for any misconduct.

If you believe your Fourth Amendment rights have been violated, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance. A skilled attorney can help you challenge evidence, build your defense, and protect your future.

[venmo-send-limit-per-day]

How to Upgrade Your Venmo Account for Higher Limits

Venmo is a payment app that makes transferring bills, paying payments, and receiving funds quickly incredibly simple. However, its services come with certain restrictions that should be understood to avoid problems later. The Venmo limit lies within how much money can be transferred on any one day; this amount depends on whether users have completed identity verification in our app by clicking its settings icon and selecting "Identity Verification". Once verified users provide legal name, birth date, ID number to increase their limit.

Users can also set ATM withdrawal and purchase limits with debit cards to help stay within their expenditure budget, monitor spending habits, and avoid excessive spending, prevent fraudulent transactions or abuse of the platform as well as safeguard personal and professional finances separately. Venmo allows users to increase the amounts transferred by connecting to their bank account and granting it access to account data so it can determine whether increasing Venmo transfer limits is based on transaction history and activity levels.

What are the Venmo’s Transaction Limits and Restrictions?

Venmo places limits on transactions to protect users and ensure compliance with financial regulations. These restrictions depend on verification of your account as well as types of transactions being conducted; understanding these limits is vital for managing transactions effectively.

Below Mentioned are the Different Types of Limits on Venmo:

Personal Payment Limits: They cover transfers between individuals.

Limits for Bank Transfers: Like with Venmo payments, bank accounts often set limits on what amounts can be transferred via Venmo to their respective accounts.

What are the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Transaction Limits on Venmo

Venmo's limits are determined based on weekly and daily transactions, as outlined here:

Venmo Daily Transaction Limits: Venmo does not set explicit daily transaction limits; however, your transactions count toward weekly limits.

Venmo Weekly Limits: The typical Venmo weekly limit for an unregistered account is $299.99; verified accounts, however, can pay up to $7000.00 in transactions between individuals as well as $25,000 worth of purchases per week.

Venmo Monthly Limits: Although Venmo does not impose formal monthly limits, weekly transactions limits set a cap on how many transactions can take place within any 30-day period.

What is the Venmo’s Verification Process for Increasing Limits?

To increase Venmo limits, it is necessary to verify your account. Verification requires providing more details about yourself to confirm who you are and ensure compliance with U.S. financial regulations.

Follow These Steps to Verify Your Account

Access the Verification Section via Venmo app by going into Settings, selecting Identity Verification, and tapping "Identity Verification."

Provide Your Information: Provide your complete name, birthdate and last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). In certain instances, Venmo may ask for additional documents like identification cards with photos.

As soon as your form has been submitted, Venmo reviews your information for verification - typically taking between minutes and several days depending on its complexity.

By following this procedure, your account limits will be expanded significantly allowing more flexible transactions to take place.

How Can I Request a Limit Increase on Venmo?

If your requirements exceed the default Venmo sending limits even after verification, consider asking for a custom increment. Here is how:

Contact Venmo Support To reach support options within the app, go through "Settings," then "Get Help."

Clearly state why an increase is necessary - such as managing business payments or expecting additional transfers - so as not to mislead anyone. For instance, provide all relevant details when asking for an increase.

Venmo may request supporting evidence such as proof of income, invoices, or any other financial documents to justify your request.

Keep track of your request using either Venmo's app or email to stay informed about updates or any additional needs that arise. Their support team will inform you accordingly.

How to Manage Transactions Within Venmo’s Limits?

You can manage the Venmo transaction limits by taking the steps mentioned below:

Be mindful of both spending and receiving restrictions to stay within budget. Regularly evaluate your activities.

The verification process should be completed as quickly as possible to gain access to higher limits and make the most of any promotions that may arise.

To avoid possible complications with large payments, try and spread them out over several weeks if possible.

When using Venmo for business, creating a profile allows you access additional features and may allow for greater limits.

Comparison of Venmo’s Limits with Other Payment Apps Like PayPal

Venmo and PayPal, although owned by the same firm, provide services for different groups and have different transaction limits:

Venmo is an easy and secure way to send and receive payments among individuals; verified accounts have higher limits of up to $7,000.

PayPal offers more business-centric services; their limits can go beyond $60,000 when used by authentic users.

Venmo stands out as an easier and faster payment solution when used occasionally compared to PayPal due to its ease and social features. PayPal may have more restrictive limits, yet Venmo makes for the better choice when transactions occur infrequently.

FAQ

How do I increase my Venmo limit?

To increase the size of your Venmo limit, first complete account verification by providing SSN and personal details about yourself. For additional increases call Venmo support directly.

What is the Venmo weekly limit for verified accounts?

Verified accounts can make payments of up to $7,000 weekly for person-to-person transactions and up to $25,000 when approved purchases.

Can I request a higher limit on Venmo?

Yes, if you call Venmo support and submit additional information.

Why was my Venmo transaction declined?

Your Venmo transaction may be declined if it exceeds the limits of your account, or there are issues with the payment method you have linked.

[so-true-overdue]

The Grand Bamboozle: Russia’s Digital Disinformation Offensive

In the grand theater of geopolitical machinations, Russia has emerged as the virtuoso of digital disinformation, orchestrating a symphony of deceit that reverberates across the Western world. This is not a mere conjecture but an incontrovertible reality that demands our immediate attention.

The Art of Deception: A Masterclass in Misinformation

Russia’s stratagem is as insidious as it is ingenious, leveraging the boundless reach of social media to disseminate a cacophony of falsehoods and half-truths. This digital subterfuge is not merely a nuisance but a calculated assault on the very fabric of truth and democracy. By inundating the information ecosystem with spurious narratives, Russia seeks to sow discord, erode trust, and ultimately destabilize the societal cohesion of Western nations.

The Evidence: An Unassailable Reality

The evidence of Russia’s digital chicanery is as abundant as it is alarming. From the manipulation of electoral processes to the propagation of divisive cultural narratives, the fingerprints of Russian disinformation are unmistakably etched across the digital landscape. Numerous investigations and reports have meticulously documented these nefarious activities, leaving no room for doubt about the pernicious intent behind them.

Pre-bunking the Naysayers: Dispelling the Myths

Predictably, there are those who would dismiss these assertions as mere paranoia or geopolitical posturing. However, such dismissals are not only intellectually disingenuous but perilously naive. The reality of Russia’s disinformation campaign is not a figment of imagination but a substantiated fact, corroborated by a plethora of credible sources and expert analyses.

The Call to Arms: True Journalism as the Vanguard of Truth

In this epoch of digital deception, the role of true journalism has never been more critical. It is the bastion of veracity, the sentinel that stands vigilant against the encroaching tide of falsehoods. Journalists who dare to call out lies and half-truths are the unsung heroes of our time, wielding the power of truth as their weapon against the forces of disinformation.

Conclusion: The Imperative of Vigilance

In conclusion, the onslaught of Russian disinformation is not a distant threat but an immediate challenge that demands our collective vigilance. It is incumbent upon us to support and uphold the tenets of true journalism, to champion the cause of truth in an era where deception reigns supreme. Only through unwavering commitment to factual integrity can we hope to thwart the grand bamboozle and safeguard the sanctity of our democratic ideals.

[justarandomreaderxoxo]

CHAPTER 3: INTRICATE SHADOWS

Tony Stark x daughter!reader

Pronouns: She/Her

Age: 18

Warning: Kidnapping

Summary: When Tony escapes terrorists and makes it back home, Y/N, the curious soul that she is, doesn't understand how her father got kidnapped in first place. So what happens when she digs into it?

A/N: Story is set just after tony makes announcement at the press conference. Enjoy

Word count: 1457

In the aftermath of the announcement, Y/N felt a magnetic pull toward the heart of the mystery that had unfolded within Stark Industries. The air in her dimly lit study was charged with determination as she surrounded herself with an arsenal of holographic displays, each revealing a different facet of the puzzle.

The room became a sanctuary of relentless inquiry, the soft glow of the screens casting intricate shadows on Y/N's face as she delved into the labyrinth of Stark Industries' internal workings. Her fingers danced across holographic interfaces, chasing virtual trails and encrypted data that seemed to lead to nowhere and everywhere simultaneously.

The night unfolded its layers, and as the city beyond her window plunged into darkness, Y/N's relentless pursuit of truth carried her into the early hours of the morning. The quiet hum of her high-tech equipment became the soundtrack to her solitary mission.

Every encrypted file, every line of code, and every digital breadcrumb Y/N followed painted a disturbing picture. Stark Industries, a fortress of innovation and security, had been infiltrated from within. Tony's security protocols, considered impenetrable, had been compromised.

In the virtual world, Y/N navigated through hidden servers and encrypted databases, uncovering the tendrils of a betrayal that went deeper than she could have anticipated. It wasn't just about the shift in Stark Industries' direction; it was about a sinister plot orchestrated by the one person she least expected – Obadiah Stane, the trusted mentor.

Y/N, now more than ever, embraced her role not just as Tony Stark's daughter but as a guardian of the family legacy. Her intelligence and resilience became integral to the rebuilding process, forging a path toward a future untainted by the shadows of the past.

Yet, amidst the progress, a lingering question haunted Y/N's thoughts – how had Stane managed to infiltrate their world so insidiously? The pursuit of this answer led her into the labyrinth of Stark Industries' security protocols and the hidden recesses of its digital infrastructure.

Late into the night, Y/N delved into the labyrinth, determined to unravel the intricacies of Stane's machinations. The holographic displays flickered with data, each line of code a potential revelation. As the hours passed, patterns emerged – a digital dance of deceit that echoed Stane's real-world betrayal.

The investigation took Y/N deeper into the archives of Stark Industries, leading her to discover vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the security systems. It was a painful realization that the very mechanisms designed to safeguard the legacy had been exploited from within.

The breakthrough in Y/N's investigation came in the form of a hidden file – a digital breadcrumb that led to the heart of Stane's betrayal. It detailed a series of covert operations, financial transactions, and the manipulation of security protocols that had allowed Stane to operate unchecked for years.

As the evidence unfolded, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows of Stane's deception extended beyond the digital realm. There was a tangible threat that lurked in the real world, and the urgency to expose the truth weighed heavily on her shoulders.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline, casting long shadows across the city, Y/N discovered a chilling piece of information – Stane's plan to escalate his operations. The revelation sent a shiver down her spine, and a wave of panic gripped her. The danger extended beyond the walls of Stark Industries; it threatened the very heart of their existence.

Y/N's eyes bore into the holographic displays, absorbing the damning evidence. Stane's digital fingerprints were everywhere, leaving an indelible mark on the files that chronicled his clandestine dealings. The realization of the danger her father had unknowingly faced fuelled Y/N's determination.

The evidence, a digital arsenal against Stane's treachery, materialized on her screens. With a sense of urgency, Y/N compiled the incriminating data, her fingers dancing across the holographic interfaces to secure every piece of damning information.

But even in her quest for justice, Stane's calculated awareness of her interference was unveiled. The moment she initiated the transfer of evidence to Tony, a chilling response echoed through the digital realm. The revelation of her investigation had triggered Stane's countermove – an abduction designed to silence the whistleblower.

In the depths of the night, Y/N found herself thrust into a harsh reality. Stane's henchmen surrounded her, their movements synchronized with the malicious efficiency of a well-executed plan. Within moments, she was overpowered, her attempts to resist met with ruthless determination.

As she was dragged away from her sanctuary of investigation, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that her pursuit of truth had inadvertently led her into the heart of the danger that now enveloped her. Stane, the puppet master orchestrating a dangerous game, had taken her hostage, using her as a pawn in a bid to secure his escape from justice.

Unbeknownst to Y/N, as she grappled with her captors, a silent distress signal emanated from her necklace. The beacon of desperation, programmed with a daughter's plea for help, pulsated through the digital channels, reaching Tony Stark in the moments when he had just entered his iron man suit for testing. Tony's heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. Without a moment's hesitation, the repulsors on the Iron Man suit flared to life, propelling Tony into the night sky. The city below became a blur as he soared toward the coordinates sent by his daughter.

The scene that unfolded at Stane's secret lair was a clash of technology and malevolence. Tony, clad in the iconic red and gold armor, confronted Stane, the two armored figures locked in a battle that echoed the personal vendetta that had unfolded behind the scenes.

The cavernous space became an arena of clashing metal and the searing glow of repulsors. The echoes of the confrontation reverberated through the chamber, punctuated by the hum of technology pushed to its limits.

Y/N, restrained and defiant, watched the battle unfold. The sight of her father, clad in the Iron Man suit, was a mix of relief and pride. Yet, the danger that loomed threatened to overshadow the reunion they both sought.

As the battle reached its climax, Stane, realizing the game was up, attempted one final desperate move. The clash of armored figures intensified each blow resonating with the weight of justice seeking retribution.

In a burst of energy and determination, Tony emerged victorious. Stane, defeated and subdued, lay amidst the wreckage of his ambitions. The Iron Man suit's faceplate retracted, revealing a mixture of relief and resolve in Tony's eyes.

"Y/N, I'm here. I'll get you out of this," Tony's voice, filtered through the Iron Man suit's speakers, resonated with a blend of anger and concern.

Y/N met her father's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. "I knew you'd come for me, Dad."

With calculated precision, Tony freed Y/N from her restraints, the cold metal giving way to the warmth of a father's embrace. The Iron Man suit, a symbol of strength and protection, faded into the background as the vulnerability of a family torn and reunited took center stage.

The tension that had gripped the cavern dissipated, leaving behind a sense of closure and resolution. The truth, exposed in the aftermath of the battle, laid bare the extent of Stane's treachery. The evidence, compiled by Y/N in her relentless pursuit of justice, served as a testament to the resilience of the Stark legacy.

As the dust settled, Tony, still in the Iron Man suit, approached Y/N, the faceplate retracting to reveal a mixture of relief and vulnerability.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Tony's voice held a paternal concern that transcended the confines of the armored suit.

Y/N nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and resilience. "I'm fine, Dad. Thanks to you."

Tony reached out, and the two shared an embrace that spoke volumes. The armored exterior of Iron Man seemed to fade away as the vulnerability of a father and the strength of a daughter came to the forefront.

"I should have known," Tony murmured, his voice a mix of regret and determination. "Stane's betrayal cuts deep, but we'll make him pay for what he's done."

Y/N, ever the composed figure, met Tony's gaze with a steely resolve. "We will, Dad. Together."

As they stood amidst the remnants of the confrontation, the weight of the Stark legacy hung in the air. The trials they faced had forged a bond that surpassed the armor and technology. It was a testament to the resilience of family and the unwavering commitment to justice.

In the aftermath of the ordeal, as the night sky embraced the dawn, father and daughter stood side by side. The Stark legacy, scarred but unbroken, faced a new day with a strength that came not just from technology but from the indomitable spirit of family.

[labourcompliance]

The Importance of Register and Record Maintenance Services for Corporates in India

I

n today’s complex regulatory environment, businesses in India must comply with numerous statutory requirements to ensure smooth operations and avoid penalties. One of the critical aspects of corporate compliance is the maintenance of registers and records. Proper documentation not only ensures adherence to legal obligations but also enhances transparency, operational efficiency, and corporate governance.

Understanding Register and Record Maintenance

Register and record maintenance involves systematically documenting and managing corporate records as per various laws such as the Companies Act, 2013, the Factories Act, 1948, the Shops and Establishments Act, the Payment of Wages Act, and several other labor and tax laws. These records serve as evidence of compliance and provide crucial insights into the organization’s workforce, financials, and business operations.

Key Registers and Records Required for Corporates

Depending on the industry and applicable laws, corporates in India must maintain various registers and records, including:

Statutory Registers under the Companies Act, 2013

Register of Members

Register of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel

Register of Charges

Register of Share Transfers

Register of Loans, Guarantees, and Investments

Labor Law Registers

Attendance Register

Wages Register

Register of Leave and Holidays

Register of Employment and Termination

Register of Fines and Deductions

Tax and Financial Records

Books of Accounts

GST Records and Invoices

TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) Records

Profit and Loss Statements

Other Important Records

Board Meeting Minutes

Shareholder Meeting Records

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Compliance Records

Policy and Compliance Documentation

Challenges in Register and Record Maintenance

Many businesses face difficulties in maintaining statutory registers and records due to:

Frequent changes in compliance regulations

Large volume of records to be maintained

Risk of data loss and errors in manual record-keeping

Lack of expertise in legal and regulatory requirements

How Professional Register and Record Maintenance Services Help

Hiring professional compliance service providers can streamline record-keeping processes and ensure businesses stay compliant with minimal hassle. These services offer:

Expertise in Compliance Regulations: Professionals stay updated with legal changes and ensure records meet statutory requirements.

Digital Record Management: Many firms provide automated and cloud-based solutions to maintain records securely and access them when needed.

Audit-Ready Documentation: Well-maintained records ensure corporates are always prepared for regulatory inspections and audits.

Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing register maintenance saves time and operational costs while reducing risks of non-compliance.

Why Choose Our Register and Record Maintenance Services?

We provide end-to-end register and record maintenance solutions tailored to corporate needs. Our services include:

Comprehensive documentation of statutory registers and records

Regular updates as per the latest legal requirements

Digital solutions for easy access and security

Timely alerts and reminders to ensure compliance deadlines are met

Assistance in audits and legal inspections

Conclusion

Register and record maintenance is a crucial part of corporate compliance that requires meticulous attention and expertise. By leveraging professional services, businesses can focus on their core operations while ensuring adherence to legal obligations. Partnering with experts in register and record maintenance will not only safeguard businesses from legal complications but also enhance corporate efficiency and governance.

For seamless and reliable register and record maintenance services, get in touch with us today!

[fairylandblog]

Faerie Protection Agency

Within the complex realm of faerie legend, the Seely Court is a haven of magic and intrigue. The Faerie Protection Agency (FPA) is involved in several activities, one of which is to keep the mortal world unaware that faeries exist. This organization employs a blend of magic and cunning to safeguard the delicate balance between the faerie and human realms. The underlying premise of the FPA's purpose is that the discovery of faeries has the potential to upend the natural order, resulting in chaos and exploitation. Mortals are dangerous to the faerie community because of their voracious curiosity and inclination to rule the unknown. The FPA protects the security and sanctity of both worlds by remaining covert. Despite the magical and whimsical nature of faeries, their vulnerabilities and unique abilities necessitate avoiding human intervention.

Using glamour and enchantments is essential to the agency's operations. These enchanted veils change the memory of individuals who go too close to the truth, conceal enchanted sites, and mask faerie meetings. Talented faeries, proficient in these techniques, collaborate with the FPA to swiftly eliminate any evidence of their realm. Because of the agency's actions, mortals who witness faerie activities might only remember them as dreams or transient illusions. In addition to magic, the FPA uses intelligence and surveillance to keep an eye out for possible secret breaches. Agents, stationed in high-faerie activity zones, blend in with human culture while closely monitoring contacts between the two worlds. To avoid exposure, they get information, monitor rumors, and take appropriate action as needed. This operational network swiftly locates and eliminates any threat to the anonymity of faeries. Additionally, the agency develops contacts with reliable human allies who are cognizant of the faerie realm. These people are usually visionaries, poets, or painters who see the value of preserving the enchantment and mystery of the world. Periodically, the faerie realm grants them glimpses in exchange for their secrecy, gently influencing their art and elevating human civilization. Even with its careful work, the FPA occasionally runs into problems. The current world's media and technologies pose unique challenges to maintaining secrecy. The agency must constantly develop and adapt, as evidence of the supernatural can spread swiftly thanks to cameras and the internet. To keep up the appearance of incredulity, faerie agents may need to alter media narratives or digital data.

Moreover, not every faerie supports the goals of the FPA. Curiosity or mischievousness may lead some to consciously or unintentionally seek out human connection and expose themselves. The agency must resolve these internal tensions by striking a balance between the general need for concealment and the wishes of specific faeries. The Faerie Protection Agency essentially embodies the Seely Court's dedication to maintaining the magical balance between faeries and mortals. It protects a magical realm that exists in the shadows by utilizing a blend of enchantment, cunning, and diplomacy. The FPA ensures that faeries remain the subject of stories and fantasies, facilitating a nuanced dance between mystery and imagination where humans and faeries coexist.

[darkmaga-returns]

Whoa! If you give a policeman your phone for any reason, and you have a biometric ID turned on (facial recognition or fingerprint), you will expose all the data on your phone: pictures, passwords, financial information, chat streams, email, mapping data, etc. Don’t let that happen! Immediately turn off all biometric ID features on your phone and use a password instead. If your phone has an anti-theft feature to block repeating guessing of your password, turn it on! The same logic applies to tablets and laptops.

⁃ Patrick Wood, TN Editor.

Without a warrant and specific proof of incriminating evidence, police should never be allowed past your phone’s lock screen.

Growing police power has gravely distorted interactions between cops and citizens. Officers arrive with not just a gun and body armor but with wide-ranging legal immunities and both the privilege and training to lie to you during questioning.

Now they want to force you to unlock your phone. [Don’t ever do this! – ed.]

The amount of personal data we keep on our smartphones is almost immeasurable, a reality the Supreme Court recognized in 2014 when it ruled that police must comply with the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement to search your device. But your phone has a simpler safeguard: a password that, under the Fifth Amendment, you shouldn’t have to reveal unless the government overcomes your right against self-incrimination.

It’s a right with deep roots, dating back to fourth-century Christian thinker St. John Chrysostom, who argued that no one should be required to confess their sins in public because it would discourage people from confessing at all.

By the 17th century, English common law had begun to develop these ideas into a right not to be interrogated under oath. The right achieved major recognition after the infamous Star Chamber sentenced prominent natural rights thinker John Lilburne to approximately 500 lashes for refusing to testify against himself. Lilburne remained a significant English philosopher and politician for decades while the Star Chamber was abolished just four years later.

Lilburne’s case was so influential that colonial America enshrined the privilege against self-incrimination in nine state constitutions before it even became part of the Bill of Rights. Today, police act as if smartphones and digital technology invalidate those protections. They don’t.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t broken the law or you think you have nothing to hide. What matters is whether police believe—rightly or wrongly—that you have done something illegal or that you have something to hide. Police are incentivized not to protect rights but to arrest people allegedly (or actually) breaking laws.

Without a warrant and specific proof of incriminating evidence, police should never be allowed past your phone’s lock screen.

Unfortunately, your Fourth Amendment right against warrantless searches and seizures is insufficient to stop police from scouring the trove of personal data on your phone for information unrelated to their investigation. Police can seize your device before they get a warrant and if they have the passcode nothing stops them from performing an off-the-record search—even if they might be later prevented from introducing that information in court.

Once police get warrants to perform specific searches—which courts regularly grant—they often retain smartphones far longer than needed to execute the narrow bounds of the warrant. They may try to introduce the evidence they “coincidentally” discovered, even if it falls outside the warrant’s scope.

[mariacallous]

The eraser is a key tool of autocrats. Authoritarians wield their power to silence dissent, suppress disfavored narratives, cover up misdeeds, and protect themselves from accountability. In past generations, regimes engaged in painstaking efforts to bury or even burn books, documents, and periodicals perceived to pose a threat to their continued rule, including documentation of their own abuses.

In the digital age, deletion has gone high tech. Repressive governments can make entire websites disappear and erase archives and social media accounts at the push of a button, eliminating historical records and expunging vital information. The ease of erasure at a mass scale raises the pressing need to ensure that vulnerable digital materials—journalism, history, photography, video, government records—are safeguarded. Preserving such records is vital to resurrect shattered cultures, recount stories of oppression, and hold perpetrators accountable. And archiving authoritarianism may prove an essential tool in defeating it.

The world’s understanding of the Nazi period has relied on photos, diaries, letters, poems, and drawings that brought destroyed families and communities to life. Pre-revolutionary cinema and photography from Iran provides a vivid reminder of the vibrant, urbane, and highly experimental culture that existed before the rule of the ayatollahs. Personal diaries have provided a powerful window into the social conditions and mindsets that prevailed in China as the Cultural Revolution took hold. It was only after 50 years, in the 2010s, that China began opening up government archives on the period.

Preserving government records is also necessary. Many authoritarian regimes have been meticulous record-keepers. Through its vast network of amateur spies, East Germany’s Stasi secret police kept files on 5.6 million people. As communist rule fell away, smoke erupted from a regional Stasi headquarters prompting a group of women activists to occupy the building to prevent the records from being incinerated, determined to preserve the record of repression.

As of 2015, more than 7 million Germans had applied to view their Stasi files. In the Soviet Union, as the government collapsed, one of the principle demands of reformers was to lay bare the KGB archives that documented the mass scale of horrors painstakingly pieced together by Russian dissident writers, including Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn of the Gulag Archipelago. Newly surfaced archives in Syria have begun to reveal the extent of the Assad regime’s massive surveillance network and the tentacles it used to infiltrate opposition groups.

Records and accounts of authoritarian regimes have been crucial tools in helping society understand and judge these regimes. After World War II, Allied armies had collected a ton of evidence—millions of documents, photographs, and films—and presented the most compelling at Nuremberg and other trials; it was all housed in the U.S. National Archives afterward.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia amassed a huge trove of documents. Chinese author Yang Jisheng used his position as a journalist at China’s state-controlled Xinhua News Agency to collect documents totaling more than 10 million words, which formed the basis of his landmark book, Tombstone. The work stands as the definitive account of China’s Great Famine and the 36 million lives it took. Though banned in mainland China, the book is widely circulated there in bootleg form. As Yang put it: “Our history is all fabricated. It’s been covered up. If a country can’t face its own history, then it has no future.”

Governments of all kinds understand the power of the written word, pictures, and narratives to shape historical memory. A 2012 report found that the United Kingdom had both unlawfully hidden and systematically destroyed records of the final days of the British Empire, not wanting damning revelations that “might embarrass Her Majesty’s government” to be accessible to newly independent states.

The risks that digital transformation poses for our ability to document, research, interpret, and understand authoritarianism are clear. The shift to online communications has allowed troves of messages and directives that might once have been conveyed by printed cables, letters, or memos to be effectuated through texts, emails, or social media channels that will never exist in physical form unless printed or digitally preserved.

Online information troves are generally less stable than physical libraries due to link rot—the phenomenon of hyperlinks becoming less likely to point to the original file in question because material has been moved or taken down—data migration, storage limitations, and technology upgrades routinely overwriting the past. The Internet Archive, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that began its work in 1996 just as the internet itself picked up steam, and a series of subsidiaries have evolved over nearly 30 years to shore up these gaps and preserve records, but they are not comprehensive, and they lack access to much of the most sensitive material from closed or threatened societies.

Moreover, as autocracies exert their sovereignty to tighten strictures on the online spheres accessible to their citizens, the digital sphere is becoming increasingly balkanized and imperiled. By demanding that tech companies house operations and data centers within their territories in order to serve consumers there, countries are more easily able to block and disable websites they don’t like and to centralize the technical infrastructure upon which those sites depend.

The result is that media archives and records that might once have needed to be shredded or torched can now be wiped with the press of a button. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, President Vladimir Putin issued a sweeping declaration that branded the country’s entire independent media sector as foreign agents. All privately owned media channels were barred from broadcasting inside Russia.

Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, revoked the registration of respected newspaper Novaya Gazeta, forcing most of its journalists into exile and disabling its website inside Russia. Dozens of other media outlets followed suit, with more than 1,500 journalists fleeing into exile and the fate of their websites and digital archives hanging in the balance. Journalists scrambled to secure their life’s work outside of Russian borders, fearing it could be wiped out by government decree.

In China, where all internet companies operate at the pleasure of the Chinese Communist Party, authorities have been systematically purging vast swaths of the internet. A 2024 post on WeChat revealed that nearly all information posted online between late 1990s and mid-2000s had been expunged. The post itself was soon censored and vanished.

Events like the Sichuan earthquake of 2008, which killed more than 68,000 people and prompted a ferocious online debate over China’s shoddy building standards, have been almost entirely scrubbed from China’s online realm. Recent scandals, including one involving the transportation of cooking oil in unsanitary tankers, are also routinely suppressed. Discussion of the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising is still considered so taboo that many young Chinese are unaware until they travel overseas and have unfettered access to the internet and history books.

Intensifying censorship under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rule over the last 12 years has led Chinese internet companies to wipe out content that could get them in trouble, leading to a sharp reduction in the total number of websites available on the mainland. Award-winning Chinese American filmmaker Nanfu Wang, who has focused on controversial topics like the brutal tactics used to implement China’s one-child policy, has seen her films made inaccessible and her presence in directories and film sites obliterated.

Online accounts of dissidents and independent journalists have similarly disappeared, wiping away reams of content and expression. Artificial intelligence and automation will further facilitate these efforts; it is already making it possible to efficiently expunge specific words and topics from the digital realm while promoting others that match preferred government messages.

In the face of this wholesale destruction, archivists, nongovernmental organizations, and exiled Russian journalists are beginning to take steps to preserve vulnerable histories. In 2023, PEN America and Bard College launched the Russian Independent Media Archive. The archive aims to restore the historical record, elevate the work of independent journalists, and allow for a deeper excavation of Russia’s past. The collection is growing, and it now includes the blog archive of murdered dissident and political leader Alexei Navalny.

China analyst and expert Ian Johnson started China Unofficial Archive, an online collection aimed at making important written and visual records of independent thinkers and creators accessible. Other sites, like China Digital Times and GreatFire.org, have cropped up with similar missions to collate, preserve, and publicize vulnerable information.

But several efforts to collect and display personal accounts of Chinese affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have been futile, as Beijing swiftly censored the content. The value of such troves as a tool to enable societies to reckon with and overcome trauma is overlooked, as the imperative of obliterating the record of government misdeeds and overreach takes precedence.

Current wars raging in Gaza and Sudan have brought poignant reminders of the enduring vulnerability of physical archives and cultural treasures in armed conflict, with major collections of historical material being destroyed by bombs or arson. In war-torn regions, digital backstops for culture and history are vital to fortify cultures under threat, elucidate the past, and ensure the preservation of historical memory necessary to overcome violence and undergird resilience.

Palestine Nexus has collected more than 40,000 maps, diaries, manuscripts, films, and newspapers, providing a bulwark against the risk of cultural erasure. Sudan Memory, funded by the British Council Cultural Protection Fund and Aliph Foundation, works with institutions across Sudan to capture their collections digitally and gather the papers and works of influential artists and intellectuals. In 2024, a group of international organizations launched the Iranian Archive, which holds more than 1 million digital artifacts—drawn heavily from social media channels—documenting the historic “Women, Life, Freedom” protest movement in Iran.

But more systematic approaches are needed. In places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Ukraine, preventive measures should be taken to replicate valuable materials and house them abroad for safekeeping. Foundations, international institutions, and governments engaged in countering authoritarianism should include archiving among their investments. In the context of transition and reconstruction efforts in war-torn places, the safeguarding of online materials should be incorporated into planning. While there may be little that can be done to prevent authoritarians from purging records under their control, those who seek to preserve such historic materials should be able to find support and protection from the international community.

Online journalism, photos, videos, social media posts, and records offer a first draft of history in raw form, providing indispensable insights for future generations of scholars, intellectuals, artists, and interpreters of all kinds. In the ongoing struggle against authoritarianism, memory is an essential asset.

[mayamidnightmelody]

Stop Bullying 🛑🤝

StopBullying #Respect #Empathy #Inclusion

Bullying, a pervasive issue in schools, workplaces, and online spaces, inflicts deep wounds on individuals and communities. Its detrimental effects range from psychological distress to academic or professional underachievement, and in severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or suicide. Recognizing the urgency of this matter, concerted efforts must be made to eradicate bullying and foster environments of respect, empathy, and inclusion.

First and foremost, education serves as a potent tool in combating bullying. Schools and communities must implement comprehensive anti-bullying programs that educate students about the different forms of bullying, its consequences, and strategies for intervention and prevention. By integrating these programs into the curriculum and promoting open discussions, students can develop a deeper understanding of empathy and respect for others.

Moreover, fostering a culture of inclusivity is crucial in addressing the root causes of bullying. Embracing diversity in all its forms—whether it be racial, cultural, religious, or sexual orientation—creates an environment where individuals feel valued and accepted. Schools and workplaces should actively promote diversity initiatives, celebrate multiculturalism, and provide support networks for marginalized groups, thereby mitigating the conditions conducive to bullying behavior.

Furthermore, the role of adults, including parents, teachers, and employers, is paramount in combating bullying. Adults must serve as positive role models, demonstrating empathy, kindness, and assertive communication skills. They should actively listen to the concerns of those who have been bullied and take decisive action to address the issue. Additionally, fostering strong connections between adults and youth can create a supportive environment where victims feel empowered to seek help and bystanders feel compelled to intervene.

In the digital age, where cyberbullying has become increasingly prevalent, it is imperative to promote digital literacy and responsible online behavior. Educating individuals about the impact of their words and actions in virtual spaces, as well as implementing robust measures for reporting and addressing cyberbullying, are essential steps in safeguarding the well-being of all individuals, particularly adolescents who are most vulnerable to online harassment.

Ultimately, eradicating bullying requires a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration between schools, communities, and policymakers. Legislation should be enacted to enforce strict penalties for bullying behavior and provide adequate resources for victim support and mental health services. Additionally, funding should be allocated to research initiatives aimed at understanding the underlying factors contributing to bullying and developing evidence-based interventions.

In conclusion, stopping bullying necessitates a collective effort to cultivate respect, empathy, and inclusion in all facets of society. By prioritizing education, fostering diversity, empowering individuals, and implementing robust policies, we can create environments where bullying is not tolerated, and every individual feels safe, valued, and respected. Together, we can build a future free from the shadows of bullying, where kindness and compassion prevail.

[admkltdusa]

Effective Intelligence Gathering and Cryptocurrency Recovery Solutions by Admkltd

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, intelligence gathering techniques are more critical than ever for ensuring the security and privacy of individuals and organizations alike. With the rising prevalence of cyber threats, having a robust strategy for gathering intelligence can make the difference between safeguarding sensitive information and falling victim to malicious attacks. At the forefront of these solutions is Admkltd, a company renowned for its expertise in providing top-notch crypto asset recovery services.

Intelligence gathering techniques encompass a broad spectrum of methods used to collect, analyze, and utilize information for decision-making purposes. These techniques are vital not only for governments and large corporations but also for individuals looking to protect their digital assets. From open-source intelligence (OSINT) to human intelligence (HUMINT), the goal is to gather relevant data that can be used to anticipate and mitigate potential threats.

One area where these techniques are particularly crucial is in the realm of cryptocurrency. As digital currencies gain popularity, they also attract cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. Whether through phishing scams, hacking, or other illicit methods, crypto assets can be stolen or lost, leaving individuals in dire need of recovery solutions. This is where Admkltd comes in, offering the best crypto recovery service available in the market.

Admkltd has built a solid reputation by leveraging advanced intelligence gathering techniques to track and recover stolen or lost crypto assets. Their team of experts uses a combination of blockchain analysis, cybersecurity measures, and forensic investigations to locate and retrieve digital currencies. Whether you've lost access to your wallet, fallen victim to a scam, or had your assets stolen, Admkltd's crypto asset recovery service is designed to help you regain control of your digital investments.

Read Also

The company's commitment to providing the best crypto recovery service is evident in its success rate and the trust it has garnered from clients worldwide. Admkltd understands the complexities of the cryptocurrency market and the ever-evolving tactics used by cybercriminals. By staying ahead of these threats through continuous research and the application of cutting-edge intelligence gathering techniques, they ensure that their clients' assets are recovered efficiently and securely.

In conclusion, as the digital world continues to expand, the need for reliable intelligence gathering techniques and crypto asset recovery services becomes increasingly important. Admkltd stands out as a leader in this field, offering unparalleled expertise and the best crypto recovery service to protect your digital investments. Whether you're an individual or an organization, partnering with Admkltd ensures that your assets are safeguarded against the growing threat of cybercrime.