Twitter Subpoena demonstrates extent of Surveillance

In an Interesting new development - Boston Police have issued a subpoena for information on all Twitter users that used the hashtag BostonPD or twittered occupyBoston. The information specifically includes Date and IP Address of account creation. I wonder how many established their accounts using a VPN? I know I didn't use one back then. It will raise interesting questions about the safety of International users. Sympathisers in other Countries with their own "Occupy" and protest movements can be exposed - in some cases with serious potential consequences. We await the Court decision with interest.

The moral: more than ever, be careful what appears in your social media stream - even if you are just following interesting developments and not actively participating. Your actions are being tracked. The subpoena appears below.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/76393350/Subpoena-on-p0isAn0n-OccupyBoston-BostonPD-d0xcak3

Indian and Chinese Entrepreneurs Leaving US

Interesting Article from Venturebeats' Entrepreneur Corner. This US downturn is more serious than a mere recession - in part because of the fear of Foreigners that has rarely been a part of US public life in the past. There may have been many individuals with prejudiced views, but public figures stood for America as a great innovation capital for the World. To do that one needs to let people travel relatively freely. Enhanced border security and pat downs for every flight leg reduce the willingness of people to visit. Border Security personnel do not seem to be acting as though they are America's frontline of Welcome - people's first impression of arriving in America is likely to be harsh. In contrast China works hard to make visitors welcome. Immigration control officers each have a little 'voting button' where you register if you were happy with them or not. Every visitor votes. If America loses the innovation lead, other losses will follow.

Venturebeat says:

skilled immigrants are leaving the U.S. in droves. This is because of economic opportunities in countries like India and China, a desire to be closer to family and friends, and a deeply flawed U.S immigration system. It doesn’t matter whether we call this “brain drain” or “brain circulation”– it is a loss for America. Innovation that would otherwise be happening here is going abroad.

With all the stories we read about weak infrastructure in India, authoritarianism in China, and corruption and red tape in both countries, the perception is that these entrepreneurs are facing major handicaps back home. They have no chance of competing with us, so we have nothing to worry about, right?

Wrong.

Read the full Article