January 29th, 2020 IRC Meeting
Review
- 4th Amendment Lobby Day
- Cryptoparty
Decisions/Endorsements
Anti-Ring Post
Draft Text:
Jeff Bezos, using his media empire, created the "porch pirate" narrative in order to push demand for Ring cameras. Having deployed them in communities across the state, he is now poised to sell access to this spy network to the police.
If the state proposed building surveilance cameras outside the front door of every house in every city, there would be justified outrage. But by making the Ring camera a consumer object, it becomes a status symbol, something enviable.
The purported AI technology behind it is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, powered by an underpaid team of thousands of human contractors to monitor live feeds from across the world. And on top of that, the software is insecure and unreliable!
The police departments of at least nine Massachusetts communities have signed data sharing agreements with Amazon. They are all over the state including Lowell, Malden, Wellesley and Westfield. We call on police departments statewide to reject the unproven and worthless Ring technology and immediately divest any current contracts with Amazon.
We also urge all residents to agitate for their community to ban municipal use of facial recognition technology and for our Commonwealth to adopt the State & Local Facial Recognition Tech Moratorium (S.1385 & H.1538). Bans in Somerville, Northampton and Brookline are only the start. Together we can end the use of such surveillance technology.
Projects
Goals for Q1 2020:
- Organize meetups
- Organize Fundraiser
- Organize candidate trainings
- Revise platform
Video Newsletter/Podcast
Leader: Joseph
- Next pirate news recording?
Regional Meetings/Events
Leader: jokeefe
- Worcester (Malt)
- Boston (jokeefe)
Democracy and Dogfood (Tech)
Next meeting will be in February. Topics are:
- find discussion/voting system;
- update CCTV cameras to include older cameras outside North America we didn't include;
- write an app to record the location/ownership of CCTV cameras;
- set up torrents for PirateCon videos (creynolds);
- post remaining audio for PirateCon talks (srevilak).
Platform Discussion
Moved to 2020 Platform Discussion
Tabled Projects
National Party
Boston Sex Worker Petition
Computer Donations
- jokeefe contacted friend who refurbishes computers for a non-profit
- Archived https://piratenpad.de/p/MassPiratesComputerDonations - move to wiki
FOSS Tutorials
Worcester farm group is interested in having some FOSS tutorials. Perhaps:
- how to do basic labels in GIMP,
- work through a few sample spreadsheets related to seed cost and
- similarly applicable real-world situations, depending on the needs of the group
Basically how to do graph design & product management with open source tools. Malt will put together a one paragraph description of what we need and we can mail it out to ask pirates to help.
Fight bills to make the Film Credit Permanent
H.2419 would make the film tax credit permanent. It is supposed to expire in 2023. The bill has 100+ signatures this time around.
Upcoming Events
- 1/29, 7-9pm, Boston Cryptoparty, Encuentro 5, Boston
- 2/2, 11am-1pm, Democracy and Dogfood (Tech) Meeting, Diesel Cafe, Somerville
- 2/4, 7-9pm, Mass MeshNet Tech Meeting, Culture House, Harvard Square
- 2/11, 7-9pm, Mass MeshNet Tech Meeting, Democracy Center, Cambridge
- 2/18, 7-9pm, Mass MeshNet Tech Meeting, Encuentro 5, Boston
- 2/25, 7-9pm, Mass MeshNet Tech Meeting
- Spring 2020, ?, Worcester Meetup
- Spring 2020, ?, Springfield Meetup
- Spring 2020, ?, Boston Meetup
Participants
- srevilak (Steve Revilak, Arlington, MA)
- jokeefe (James O'Keefe, Somerville)
- Malt (Sam capradae, Worcester)
- Pirate_Joe (Joseph Onoroski, Lowell, MA)
Observers
- davidd
- ChanServ
- hvxgr
- Deffy
Summary
srevilak discovers that creating a financial reporting account with OCPF is easier than creating a brand new facebook account. He's amused by this.
4th Amendment Lobby Day went well. Staff were receptive to concerns about civil asset forfeiture.
Cryptoparty. Five people attended the last cryptoparty, including three newcomers. Discussed meshnet, and basic privacy protection measures. Next one planned for April.
Anti-Ring Post. Some background:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcochiappetta/2020/01/28/the-ring-doorbell-app-is-sending-your-data-to-third-parties-new-eff-findings-show/
- https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/police-can-get-your-ring-doorbell-footage-without-a-warrant-report-says/
- https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/five-concerns-about-amazon-rings-deals-police
jokeefe to post.
Video newsletter/podcast. Pirate joe is breaking in new video equipment. Next recording is Feb 9th, in the 6p - 8p range.
Regional meetings. Potential Boston meeting in March.
Tech meeting. 2p - 4p on Sunday.
Minutes
21:04 <@jokeefe> Agenda: https://masspirates.org/wiki/January_29th,_2020_IRC_Meeting 21:04 <@jokeefe> ids 21:05 <@jokeefe> James O’Keefe, Somerville 21:05 < srevilak> Steve Revilak, Arlington, MA 21:05 < Pirate_Joe> Joseph Onoroski, Lowell, MA 21:05 <@jokeefe> anything to add? 21:05 < srevilak> nothing here 21:06 < Malt> Nyet 21:06 < Pirate_Joe> Aye, making sure that my absence did not mess things to badly and am seeking to make amends if I offend. 21:06 < srevilak> Pirate_Joe: no worries. Life happens 21:06 <@jokeefe> aye to that 21:06 < Pirate_Joe> Would you elaborate on the FB thing then? 21:07 <@jokeefe> The Pirate abides 21:07 < Pirate_Joe> I know I have missed a lot these last few weeks. 21:07 < srevilak> Sure. Finally ran into a situation that forced me to break down and create a facebook account 21:07 < srevilak> First, they wanted to email a confirmation code 21:07 < srevilak> Took an hour to arrive 21:08 < srevilak> Second, they wanted my mobile to SMS a confirmation code 21:08 < srevilak> that arrived more quickly 21:08 < srevilak> Third, they wanted me to upload a face shot, to "verify that it was me" 21:08 < srevilak> Afterwards, they said they were holding my account for review 21:09 < Pirate_Joe> Will all the srevilak's please stand up? 21:09 < srevilak> Guess their AI algorithm didn't appreciate my ugly mug 21:09 <@jokeefe> That sounds like an ordeal. 21:09 <@jokeefe> I am srevilak 21:09 <@jokeefe> ;-) 21:09 <@jokeefe> Review 21:09 <@jokeefe> 4th Amendment Lobby Day 21:09 < srevilak> On the other hand, I emailed OCPF to create account for select board candidate. Was done that afternoon 21:10 < srevilak> jokeefe: sure, you're welcome to be srevilak :)( 21:10 < srevilak> OK, 4th amendment lobby day ... 21:10 <@jokeefe> went well. 21:11 <@jokeefe> When we were able to talk with a staff person, and explained the problems with civil asset forfeiture, they were receptive, 21:12 <@jokeefe> Went to a lot of offices 21:14 <@jokeefe> Cryptoparty 21:14 <@jokeefe> 5 people attended and three were new. 21:15 < Malt> Neat! 21:15 <@jokeefe> Talked about mesh nets and basic privacy protection measures. 21:16 <@jokeefe> Planning the next one in April. 21:17 < srevilak> Oh no! They got Malt! 21:18 <@jokeefe> He’ll be back 21:18 <@jokeefe> Decisions/Endorsements 21:18 <@jokeefe> Anti-Ring Post 21:18 <@jokeefe> Wanted to see if we can agree on the text we have 21:18 < Malt> Welp 21:18 <@jokeefe> discussing your Anti-Ring post 21:19 < Pirate_Joe> I am a little lost, can you enlighten me? 21:19 < Pirate_Joe> Sry 21:19 < srevilak> https://masspirates.org/wiki/January_29th,_2020_IRC_Meeting#Anti-Ring_Post 21:20 < srevilak> Pirate_Joe: ^^^^ 21:20 < Pirate_Joe> ty <3 21:20 <@jokeefe> Also: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcochiappetta/2020/01/28/the-ring-doorbell-app-is-sending-your-data-to-third-parties-new-eff-findings-show/#3e5fcbe7436d 21:20 < srevilak> Reading post, a substantial part of the monitoring is done by humans? 21:22 < Pirate_Joe> Usually done by companies such as viewpointmonitoring.com 21:24 <@jokeefe> https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/police-can-get-your-ring-doorbell-footage-without-a-warrant-report-says/ 21:24 <@jokeefe> Thoughts? 21:25 < srevilak> Also https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/five-concerns-about-amazon-rings-deals-police 21:26 <@jokeefe> thanks 21:26 < Pirate_Joe> Privacy for the individual is the uphill fight that we stand for. This seems like something out of Demolition Man 21:26 < Pirate_Joe> I don't see a reason to change our stance on this. 21:26 < srevilak> I think the post is ok 21:26 < Pirate_Joe> 2nd 21:26 < Pirate_Joe> ^.^ 21:27 <@jokeefe> I am fine with it. Do you accept the changes I made, Malt? 21:32 <@jokeefe> Ok, I’ll post it. 21:32 <@jokeefe> Projects 21:32 <@jokeefe> Video Newsletter/Podcast 21:33 <@jokeefe> When is good to record this weekend? 21:34 < Pirate_Joe> So, I just got a new spot to get my set up going. I need to swap out two of current graphics cards to get things going but I should be good to be getting that going by next weekend. 21:34 < Pirate_Joe> It's going to be going very well. and going..... 21:35 < Pirate_Joe> That said, I should be able to record again and we can do one every week if that works for all of you. 21:36 < Pirate_Joe> Tomorrow is the last day of our move from the old location plus the new place is getting the windows replaced. That should give me enough time to get my main up and going proper. 21:36 < Pirate_Joe> There is plenty to talk about as well. 21:36 <@jokeefe> So next weekend for you? 21:37 < Pirate_Joe> And every Sunday night if that works for everyone else/ 21:37 < Pirate_Joe> :/ 21:39 < srevilak> Feb 9th, then? 21:40 < Pirate_Joe> Aye 21:41 < srevilak> I can do that 21:41 < Pirate_Joe> I am hoping for a regular window again between 6 & 8 but we can extend or shorten it as needed. 21:41 < Pirate_Joe> That is just a very convent time slot for me. 21:42 <@jokeefe> Sometime in that slot works for me. 21:42 < Pirate_Joe> Great. 21:43 < Pirate_Joe> jokeefe, did you ever get it working on your end? 21:43 <@jokeefe> not yet 21:43 < Pirate_Joe> ok, no worries though 21:43 <@jokeefe> Feb. 9th sometime between 6 & 8 21:44 < srevilak> works for me 21:44 <@jokeefe> Regional Meetings/Events 21:45 <@jokeefe> Looking for places for the Boston meetup. Maybe in March. 21:47 <@jokeefe> Democracy and Dogfood (Tech) 21:47 <@jokeefe> Scheduled for Sunday. 21:48 <@jokeefe> srevilak, still good for you? 21:48 < srevilak> I will have to miss :( 21:48 < srevilak> Campaign meeting at 11:30 21:48 < srevilak> Sorry 21:49 < srevilak> Could do later in the day 21:49 <@jokeefe> What works? 21:49 < srevilak> Maybe 2p? 21:49 <@jokeefe> 2-4pm? 21:50 < srevilak> I can do that 21:50 <@jokeefe> ok. I will update it. 21:50 <@jokeefe> Thanks. 21:50 < srevilak> Great. Thanks for accomodating 21:51 <@jokeefe> Happy to. Anything else to discuss? 21:51 < Pirate_Joe> One final thing if you don't mind 21:51 <@jokeefe> sure 21:51 < Pirate_Joe> What is the current state at the national level? 21:52 < Pirate_Joe> I went to the meeting for last Wednesday and this Monday but no one was doing anything. 21:53 <@jokeefe> We’ll see tonight. 21:53 < Pirate_Joe> Ok, so it's tonight then? 21:53 <@jokeefe> Just Wednesday’s now 10-10:30am 21:54 < Pirate_Joe> Ok, I hope things still move forward. If not, what would be the course of action to get things going again? 21:54 < Pirate_Joe> PPI? 21:55 <@jokeefe> would be good to reach out to them. 21:55 < Pirate_Joe> Ok, do you know when they meet? 21:55 <@jokeefe> #uspp 21:56 <@jokeefe> in 5 minutes 21:56 <@jokeefe> Shall we adjourn? 21:56 < Pirate_Joe> 2nd 21:56 < srevilak> aye 21:57 < srevilak> will post transcript 21:57 < Pirate_Joe> aye