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The Postal Service Is Running A ‘Covert Operations Program’ That Monitors Americans’ Social Media Posts

Yahoo News reported:

The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service has been quietly running a program that tracks and collects Americans’ social media posts, including those about planned protests, according to a document obtained by Yahoo News.

The details of the surveillance effort, known as iCOP, or Internet Covert Operations Program, have not previously been made public. The work involves having analysts trawl through social media sites to look for what the document describes as “inflammatory” postings and then sharing that information across government agencies.

The Global Race to Regulate AI

Axios reported:

Acting FTC chairwoman Rebecca Slaughter told Axios: “I am pleased that the European Commission shares the FTC’s concerns about the risks posed by artificial intelligence… I look forward to reviewing the EC’s proposal as we learn from each other in pursuit of transparency, fairness, and accountability in algorithmic decision making.”

Why it matters: Artificial intelligence is no longer in its infancy and already has wide uses. Global governments are trying to wrap their arms around it, often taking different approaches.

Golden Knights’ Robin Lehner Says NHL Lied, Forced Players to Get COVID-19 Vaccine, League Disputes His Claim

CBS reported:

On Wednesday, Vegas Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner called out the NHL, saying the league is not staying true to previous promises surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations. Lehner claims the league told players if they got vaccinated restrictions would be loosened, but says that hasn’t been the case.

Lehner says the NHL forced the players to get the coronavirus vaccine and they were misled by what changes would be made if they agreed.

Following Lehner’s comments, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN that no such promises were made to the league’s players.

Trudeau Minister Says Internet Censorship Bill Will Make Canadians ‘Safer’

Post Millenial reported:

“My job is to ensure the safety and security of the Canadian population,” said the minister.

Guilbeault revealed that the legislation being tabled is the first step in creating a “safer environment for all people online and not just for a handful,” regulating hurtful content beyond what is already covered by the Criminal Code, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

“With the legislation we will be tabling, it won’t matter whether or not the company is Canadian,” said Guilbeault. “It won’t matter where the company is registered or where their servers are located.”

GOP Lawmaker Ken Buck Urges Colleagues to Stop Taking Big Tech Money

CNBC reported:

The top Republican on the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust is leading six of his peers in swearing off campaign donations from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Twitter.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., the subcommittee’s ranking member, announced Wednesday the “Pledge for America,” urging his peers to follow his earlier commitment to refuse Big Tech money. Those who sign are pledging not to accept donations from companies that violate the signers’ convictions about “the free market and the free exchange of ideas.”

“The threat posed by these monopolies is a real and present danger to conservatives, libertarians and anyone who does not agree with these corporations’ ultra-liberal points-of-view,” the pledge says.