The Calyx Institute

Our mission is to educate the public about privacy in digital communications and to develop tools that anyone can use. By embracing "privacy by design," we help make digital security and privacy more accessible to everyone. Help support our nonprofit mission-- become a member and get a hotspot with unlimited wifi or a phone with CalyxOS! https://members.calyxinstitute.org/enroll/membership

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calyxinstitute@mastodon-social.mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqsdk7zldv5pmd70gdm8akuzhvwcyxlzyggqayfkm8stzfzh22pyccgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsqtl6hm

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Last Notes

2026-06-07 16:01:10 UTC

What tools do the experts use in their privacy and security stack? @nprofile…2v9q, author of BADBOOL, shares what her setup looks like in practice. https://blog.yaelwrites.com/what-my-privacy-and-security-stack-actually-looks-like/ #digitalprivacy #devicehygiene

2026-05-25 16:02:50 UTC

How far do people search site removal services, like @nprofile…tpp9, really go? @nprofile…2v9q has done a thorough analysis of just how many sites each removal service scrubs you from: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/115L6LpQg_UX638IyUfdwGhRS7dIU3lKwz6fjAcDtE-0/edit?gid=0#gid=0

2026-04-15 16:03:38 UTC

A mass hacking campaign targeting iPhone users in Ukraine and China used tools that were likely designed by U.S. military contractor L3Harris, TechCrunch has learned. The tools, which were intended for Western spies, wound up in the hands of various hacking groups, including Russian government spies and Chinese cybercriminals. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/10/us-military-contractor-likely-built-iphone-hacking-tools-used-by-russian-spies-in-ukraine/

2026-04-01 16:03:11 UTC

Russian-backed hackers have launched a global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts used ‌by officials, military personnel and journalists. The hackers most frequently masquerade as a Signal Support chatbot to induce targets to divulge verification and PIN codes, enabling hackers to take control of the accounts. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-backed-hackers-breach-signal-whatsapp-accounts-officials-journalists-2026-03-09/

2026-01-28 17:02:19 UTC

A new AI privacy nightmare: undressing (or “nudify”) apps, which enable users to generate non-consensual intimate images (NCII) of victims rapidly, often with just one photo of the subject’s face. A new study published in the journal Violence Against Women examines a set of these apps through the lens of tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). https://www.techpolicy.press/new-study-examines-features-and-policies-for-29-ai-undressing-apps/

2026-01-05 17:01:56 UTC

For digital rights organizations already operating with lean infrastructure, the decline in support by governments for human rights advocacy compounds an increasingly unstable environment. Many human rights defenders describe not simply budget tightening, but existential threats to core services such as helplines, legal support and digital safety programs. https://www.techpolicy.press/how-civil-society-is-fighting-to-protect-digital-rights-amid-global-crisis/

2025-12-30 17:02:45 UTC

The FBI spied on a private Signal group chat of immigrants’ rights activists who were organizing “courtwatch” efforts in New York City this spring. Brad Lander, New York City’s comptroller, condemned the FBI’s report in a statement, saying the “FBI surveillance tactic is ripped straight out of the J Edgar Hoover playbook”. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/21/fbi-signal-group-chat-immigration

2025-12-16 17:02:47 UTC

Federal filings and internal documents reveal a $3.3 million geofencing contract awarded to Show Faith by Works LLC. The campaign maps the physical boundaries of churches and Christian colleges. Attendees’ mobile devices are then targeted with pro-Israel ads—framed in biblical language—that portray Palestinians as threats and emphasize Israel’s role in end-times prophecy. https://truthout.org/articles/new-campaign-targets-churches-and-christian-colleges-for-pro-israel-ads/

2025-12-10 17:03:11 UTC

CISA abandoned an Election Day situation room it had operated for years to share vital intelligence on physical and cyber threats with state and local authorities. This development forllows the dismantling of CISA's agency’s election security team earlier this year. Remaining election personnel with CISA, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, have since been prohibited from working with or contacting state election officials. https://archive.is/y9mx8

2025-12-04 17:02:25 UTC

Librarians told 404 Media that AI library software like CLCD is just the tip of the iceberg; they are being inundated with new pitches for AI library tech and catalogs are being flooded with AI slop books that they need to wade through. But more broadly, AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics. https://www.404media.co/ai-is-supercharging-the-war-on-libraries-education-and-human-knowledge/

2025-11-30 17:01:14 UTC

An AI gun detection system at a Baltimore county school mistook a high school student’s bag of Doritos for a firearm and called local police to tell them the pupil was armed. The police held him at gunpoint, made him get on his knees, handcuffed and searched him – finding nothing. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/24/baltimore-student-ai-gun-detection-system-doritos

2025-11-24 17:02:44 UTC

A new startup backed by one of the biggest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is building a service that allows clients to “orchestrate actions on thousands of social accounts through both bulk content creation and deployment.” Essentially, the startup, called Doublespeed, is pitching an astroturfing AI-powered bot service, which is in clear violation of policies for all major social media platforms. https://www.404media.co/a16z-backed-startup-sells-thousands-of-synthetic-influencers-to-manipulate-social-media-as-a-service/

2025-11-11 17:02:52 UTC

When Google and Amazon negotiated a major $1.2bn cloud-computing deal in 2021, their customer – the Israeli government – had an unusual demand: the companies must send signals hidden in payments to the Israeli government, tipping it off when it has disclosed Israeli data to foreign courts or investigators. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/29/google-amazon-israel-contract-secret-code

2025-10-20 16:11:11 UTC

The band Massive Attack used live facial recognition and tracking on their audience during a recent concert to show the audience how easily facial data can be collected and displayed. The performance highlighted how facial recognition systems record, analyze, and store images, often without explicit consent from people: https://petapixel.com/2025/09/17/band-massive-attack-uses-live-facial-recognition-on-audience-in-powerful-critique-of-technology/

2025-10-15 16:02:02 UTC

Activist Anti-Surveillance Tips from a Friendly Neighborhood Hacker? Yes, please! Check out the new guide for navigating digital and operational privacy and security in our current moment from @nprofile…q56f : https://www.turnoffyourphone.org/

2025-10-11 16:01:01 UTC

ICE is quietly building up its ability to spy on Americans' phones. Earlier this month, the agency activated a $2 million contract with Paragon, a service that offers the ability to remotely hack into someone's phone. Last week, ICE entered into an $11 million contract for Cellebrite devices, which allow agents to break into a locked phone in their physical possession. https://reason.com/2025/09/29/ice-doesnt-want-you-to-know-why-they-bought-a-phone-cracking-system/

2025-10-06 16:01:19 UTC

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been seen using a tool known as a Stingray, or a cell-site simulator, in its attempts to find and remove undocumented immigrants. The tool tricks a phone into thinking it’s a cell tower, and when a suspect’s device connects, the cops can trace its location. Its use is controversial because anyone in the same area as the target is at risk of having their information exposed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/the-wiretap/2025/09/09/how-ice-is-using-fake-cell-towers-to-spy-on-peoples-phones/

2025-08-12 16:00:46 UTC

Secret Ways You’re Leaking Data Every Day: watch as @cryptoharlem and @tangelodrift explore how technology surrounding you reveals info about your lifestyle, family, business and more.

2025-08-01 20:15:27 UTC

UPDATE: Nicholas Merrill, president and founder of Calyx Institute, has left the organization to pursue other projects. Nick has championed privacy and data security over the last 25 years, and we thank Nick for his decades-long leadership, guidance, and contributions.

2025-06-26 21:58:26 UTC

CalyxOS community update: we have made progress in building and running Android 16 on Pixel 6 and newer Pixels in the past two weeks. The team is assessing our development processes and making necessary improvements. Full progress report: https://calyxos.org/news/2025/06/26/community-update-android-16/

2025-06-24 16:06:02 UTC

A deep-dive into the new Meta AI app reveals a "privacy nightmare", including uncomfortably personal chat logs about health issues, sexuality and petty criminality. https://tech.yahoo.com/social-media/articles/meta-ai-app-privacy-nightmare-122009083.html

2025-06-03 16:03:56 UTC

Happy Pride Month! Protect yourself and your data with EFF's essential tips for LGBTQ+ people to stay safe online: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/standing-lgbtq-digital-safety-international-day-against-homophobia

2025-04-20 16:02:44 UTC

FSFE presents Ada & Zangemann, now an animated movie! This story encourages children, especially girls, to tinker with hardware and software and to shape their own technology. https://fsfe.org/activities/ada-zangemann/movie
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2025-03-10 16:00:17 UTC

More advanced privacy protection than ever! Join us and get a CalyxOS Pixel 8a today https://members.calyxinstitute.org/enroll/start
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2024-12-20 17:00:04 UTC

Our New Year’s resolutions: more privacy tool development, deeper community support, and accessible privacy resources for our supporters. You and help us make a huge difference! Donate to https://calyxinstitute.org/help/payments/tax-deductible-donations—and double the impact with employer match!
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2024-12-16 18:00:24 UTC

In 2025, we look forward to bringing you even more ways to enjoy the benefits of your Internet membership with us, including a new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program to provide our members with upgraded flexibility and convenience. Whether you’ve just joined us or have been a member for many years, we’re so thankful for your trust in our work. To learn more about our New Year's resolutions and get involved, come visit us at https://calyxinstitute.org/news/2024/whats-your-resolution-for-2025
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2024-11-22 17:00:03 UTC

Check this end-of-year roundup of some the biggest data breaches of 2024: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/14/2024-in-data-breaches-1-billion-stolen-records-and-rising/

2024-04-24 16:00:20 UTC

#DigitalSpringCleaning 💐 Now’s a great time to back up. Make sure you’re saving the right files & that you’re able to restore from your backup.

2024-04-05 16:00:35 UTC

#DigitalSpringCleaning 💐 Make sure each account has a unique password using a password manager + enable MFA where possible
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2024-03-12 16:16:52 UTC

BIG NEWS! Our Contributor Plus membership level is back with the JEXtream hotspot, a brand new 5G device! members.calyxinstitute.org/enroll

2024-01-19 17:00:03 UTC

What data does your car's infotainment system collect? Automakers disclose they can/do pull, store and even sell a wide range of data, including location, biometrics, text and more. https://therecord.media/car-data-privacy-service-wiping

2023-07-04 15:13:25 UTC

Soon ™
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