The Importance Of Anonymity And The Wonders Of YouTube's Saddest Comments

Yes, you're saying, but YouTube comments are the absolute worst on the whole internet. But, even in all that crap, there are moments of poignant interest, and Slutsky finds a bunch of them -- often involving someone writing detailed, interesting and (yes) sad comments about an emotional memory connected to a song. Some of them are really fascinating glimpses into someone's life -- and in many cases, those glimpses are the kind of things that people are willing to post anonymously, rather than associated with their real name.

But, of course, YouTube has recently changed its system to push people to use their real names with the comments. We've been pointing out for years that "real names" proposals aren't such a great idea, often stifling important and interesting conversations, and this seems like yet another example. Yes, YouTube comments are notoriously terrible, though it's arguable if they've really improved at all since pushing people to put their names on them. But this new policy almost certainly means fewer people will be willing to share such random, poignant memories when they can easily be traced back to who wrote them.

Revealed: the day Guardian destroyed Snowden hard drives under watchful eye of GCHQ – video

On Saturday 20 July 2013, in the basement of the Guardian's office in Kings Cross, London, watched by two GCHQ technicians, Guardian editors destroyed hard drives and memory cards on which encrypted files leaked by Edward Snowden had been stored. This is the first time footage of the event has been released

David Cameron wants fresh push on communications data

David Cameron wants a fresh push after the next election to "modernise" laws to allow monitoring of people's online activity, after admitting there was little chance of progress before then.

The prime minister told a parliamentary committee that gathering communications data was "politically contentious" but vital to keep citizens safe.

David Cameron Says Snooper's Charter Is Necessary Because Fictional Crime Dramas He Watches Prove It

You may recall the stories from the past couple years about the so-called "snooper's charter" in the UK -- a system to further legalize the government's ability to spy on pretty much all communications. It was setting up basically a total surveillance system, even beyond what we've since learned is already being done today. Thankfully, that plan was killed off by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

WikiLeaks, Greenwald blast Guardian journalist’s book on ‘FSB prisoner’ Snowden

Whistleblowing project WikiLeaks has excoriated a new book by Guardian foreign correspondent Luke Harding, who claims former NSA contractor Edward Snowden is being kept hostage by the Russian security agency, the FSB.

How Edward Snowden went from loyal NSA contractor to whistleblower

He was politically conservative, a gun owner, a geek – and the man behind the biggest intelligence leak in history. In this exclusive extract from his new book, Luke Harding looks at Edward Snowden's journey from patriot to America's most wanted

German federal prosecutor considers formal NSA investigation

Germany’s federal prosecutor is considering if there is enough evidence to warrant a formal, criminal investigation into the German government’s alleged involvement in the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) data collection program, a spokeswoman said Monday.

NSA spying creates more damage than security: German minister

A post-NSA partnership

After the NSA affair led to a diplomatic chill, representatives of Germany and the US are now talking about their shared values at the Munich Security Conference​​. But the question is: How can these values ​​prevail?

Deutsche Telekom: NSA/GCHQ revelations an opportunity

German operator group Deutsche Telekom has hailed last year’s revelations that the US spy agency NSA and the UK’s GCHQ had been monitoring ordinary citizens’ browsing and messaging habits as an “opportunity” for operators to provide data privacy and data security services.

Hackers sue EU governments for co-operating with NSA

Europe's largest association of hackers, the Berlin-based Chaos Computer Club, and several civil rights groups have filed a criminal complaint against the government of Angela Merkel for cooperating with the US secret service NSA in their mass surveillance programs. Similar complaints are expected in France and Belgium.

GAP Client Edward Snowden Speaks to German Press

Hackers Sue German Government for Helping the NSA

Hackers file complaint against German government over NSA scandal

Hackers, rights group sue Germany's government over NSA surveillance, hope to spark probe

Hackers sue Merkel and entire German government over NSA spying

Europe’s largest association of hackers has filed a criminal complaint against the German government for aiding foreign spying by NSA and GCHQ, and violating the right to citizens’ privacy, basing their case on leaks by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) in cooperation with the International League for Human Rights (ILMR) filed the complaint with the German Federal Prosecutor General's office on Monday.

Kerry: US, Germany Can Put NSA ‘Rough Patch’ Behind Them

‘It’s no secret we’ve been through a rough period in the last months,” Secretary of State John Kerry said last week of US-German relations. That’s putting it mildly.

NSA suspected of hacking into Belgian cryptographer's computer

Hacked Belgian cryptography expert could be victim of NSA-GCHQ surveillance

NSA, GCHQ, accused of hacking Belgian smartcard crypto guru

Professor Jean-Jacques Quisquater, a Belgian cryptographer whose work is said to have informed card payment systems worldwide, has reportedly become the victim of a spear-phishing attack by the NSA and/or GCHQ.

Former NSA employee looks to make email more secure

Virtru is one of a number of companies tackling the tricky problem of making email encryption easier

How the NSA, GCHQ and crooks can hack mobile apps

On Monday, the latest Edward Snowden leaks revealed GCHQ and the National Security Agency were targeting specific mobile applications in their attempts to gather information on intelligence targets. Exploited apps included Google Maps and Rovio's Angry Birds.

NSA-Sensitive App Alerts People When Their Phones Are Being Tracked

Internet Activists Are Rallying Businesses to Protest NSA Spying

On February 11, a coalition of activist groups, businesses, and website operators will take to the Internet for an international day of protest against the National Security Agency's methods of surveillance.

Environmental Groups "Shocked" by Reports of NSA Spying of U.N. Climate Talks

In one of the latest revelations based on the leaks of Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency spied on foreign governments before and during the 2009 U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen. An internal NSA document says its analysts and foreign partners briefed U.S. negotiators on other countries’ "preparations and goals," saying, "signals intelligence will undoubtedly play a significant role in keeping our negotiators as well informed as possible throughout the two-week event." We speak to Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth.

Submit Cartoons on NSA Surveillance and Win $1000

The Web We Want invites cartoonists, creatives and artists to join The Day We Fight Back on February 11, 2014 by creating an original cartoon about online surveillance and the right to privacy. The cartoons should help increase awareness about the NSA and demand accountability for mass digital surveillance in a way that makes people want to click and share.

How did the NSA wiretap the backbones?

The Web We Want invites cartoonists, creatives and artists to join The Day We Fight Back on February 11, 2014 by creating an original cartoon about online surveillance and the right to privacy. The cartoons should help increase awareness about the NSA and demand accountability for mass digital surveillance in a way that makes people want to click and share.

Rory E. H. Appleton: NSA game surveillance shows nothing is private

If you're an Android user like me, then you may have noticed a special gift in the most recent Facebook update. Facebook wants permission to read your text messages. It already uses your posts and Internet history to help tailor the site's advertising boxes to your personal needs, and I wonder if it will use your text messages for the same. I am going to test this theory by texting every contact I have "I want a chicken sandwich." If Facebook tells me to go to Chick-fil-A, we are all doomed.

The NSA's 'Top-Secret' Edward Snowden Talking Points

Once Edward Snowden began leaking classified documents, National Security Agency officials knew that they'd be forced to respond. They began developing talking points. By their own account, the attempt spread across 156 pages of records. Or so the NSA told Jason Leopold, a transparency activist who wants to see them. The NSA has now officially refused his Freedom of Information Act request, using a number of legal arguments. Can you guess which one bothers me?

NSA 30 Year Veteran, Whistleblower William Binney on Corrupt NSA-- the Inside Story-- Transcript

Did NSA spying give the US an edge at the Copenhagen climate conference?

Journalists and others watch President Obama's speech to the UN's 2009 climate change summit in Copenhagen. A new document leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden suggests that electronic eavesdropping gave the US advance notice of other country's negotiating strategies.

CIOs Take Stock of Snowden Impact

In the wake of revelations that the National Security Agency has been spying on electronic communications, U.S. cloud vendors are getting pushback from customers based in other countries and ripples are affecting U.S.-based multinational companies as well.