Noiseworks PR - notable for its silence
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US launches 'panic button' app for pro-democracy activists
THE US has launched a smartphone "panic button" for pro-democracy activists that will wipe their address book and send alerts to other activists should they be arrested by the police.
The app is being pushed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who also pointed out the vital role social notworking websites like Twitter and Facebook have had in revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and other countries.
The US government has been spending $50 million since 2008 to develop technology that can help people circumvent communication blocks imposed by repressive regimes, such as those we have witnessed in recent weeks and months in the Middle East.
The US is also training 5,000 activists in how to appropriately use technology. It discovered that some activists had little tech savvy, with keyloggers and viruses plaguing their computers potentially launched by government forces, according to Reuters.
The US admitted that its latest technology could be used for malign purposes, such as in drug rings or terrorist cells, but this possibility does not deter its commitment to helping pro-democracy activists around the world.
Further funding is being offered to developers of similar technology that can protect individuals. An assistant to Clinton said it is "full speed ahead" for the US' involvement in rolling out this kind of technology. µ
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Sure, but don't try publishing our leaks or we suppress the free press!!
This would be nice to have for those fighting to preserve democracy in the US. If I lived in Wisconsin or Michigan I would def have it
The USA is the new Rome, and has the blatant symbol of the bundle of sticks and Axe prominently displayed (Fascist symbol) to avoid confusion, so are not to be trusted.
Rebels by their very nature are ultimately enemies of all states.
I bet this app also has a remote control backdoor, for the donor to activate it remotely or to disable this function, to sabotage unfavoured rebels at critical moments!
I'd never trust any App from any state, you don't know what nasties are hiding in it for their Plan B!
It's perfectly OK to use this app as long as you don't use it to hide anything from US law enforcement.
"So can this be used upon entering the US if the TSA start getting a bit nosy?"
You will be promptly detained for obstruction of injustice.
I guess this app will be deemed subversive programming and banned by any court as soon as it is used.
So can this be used upon entering the US if the TSA start getting a bit nosy?