Black Americans and encryption: the stakes are higher than Apple v FBI

[unhappycamper]

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/21/apple-fbi-black-americans-encryption-debate

Like its predecessors, the democratic movement for black lives has been met by anti-democratic state surveillance and anti-black police violence.

Black Americans and encryption: the stakes are higher than Apple v FBI
Malkia Cyril in Oakland, California
Monday 21 March 2016 07.30 EDT

When the FBI branded Martin Luther King Jr a “dangerous” threat to national security and began tapping his phones, it was part of a long history of spying on black activists in the United States. But the government surveillance of black bodies has never been limited to activists – in fact, according to the FBI; you only had to be black.

In the current fight between Apple and the FBI, black perspectives are largely invisible, yet black communities stand to lose big if the FBI wins. A federal judge in California is set to rule on Tuesday whether the FBI will be granted a request compelling Apple to unlock the iPhone of a San Bernardino shooter.

While seemingly about protecting national security – the same rationale used to justify 20th century surveillance of MLK, the Black Panther Party and others – this case is about much more. It could establish a legal precedent used to suppress the growing movement for black lives that is deposing public officials and disrupting the daily assault on black people in cities across the country.

~snip~

Like its predecessors, the democratic movement for black lives has been met by anti-democratic state surveillance and anti-black police violence. New “smart” policing methods are being used by modern-day gumshoes who, fueled by the false rhetoric of black criminality, experiment with high-tech tools to the detriment of black democratic engagement.

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The Veterans For Peace are considered an 'extremist' organization.

[avebury]

1. Apparently they are viewed a threat to the

MIC.

[bemildred]

2. Anybody who gets involved in politics is a threat to the current office holders.

And their dependents in government "service".

And the Constitution can pretty much kiss their ass when it comes to any threats to their cushy jobs.