Digital evidence rarely disappears with a theatrical puff of smoke. It is copied, renamed, converted, moved, redacted, separated from attachments, or excluded from a production. By the time the public notices, five offices may possess five versions and everyone has developed a sudden devotion to passive voice. Reconstructing the chain of custody means documenting where …
We cannot trust the DOJ to do their jobs so now it is our responsibility. The federal government has released millions of pages connected to Jeffrey Epstein, yet serious questions remain about what was collected, withheld, removed, or buried beneath questionable redactions. A carefully written Freedom of Information Act request can help EpsteinWiki home sleuths …
Resistance Survival Guide #328 Interagency programs sound impressively coordinated when officials announce them. Several departments will combine expertise, share resources, eliminate duplication, and deliver one seamless government response. There may even be a diagram featuring circles, arrows, and the word synergy behaving suspiciously. Then something fails. Suddenly, the lead agency was only coordinating. The funding …
Resistance Survival Guide #321 Government grant announcements usually feature an impressive dollar figure, a worthy public mission, and several officials congratulating one another beneath a professionally printed banner. What they rarely show is where the money travels after the cameras leave. A federal agency may award money to a state government. The state may transfer …
A government algorithm denies benefits. A surveillance platform identifies the wrong person. An automated fraud system freezes assistance. Suddenly, everyone involved develops a severe allergy to active verbs. The agency blames the contractor. The contractor says it followed agency requirements. The program office says technology staff handled it. Technology staff point toward legal counsel. Legal …
Government agencies are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence to review records, identify patterns, evaluate applications, detect suspected fraud, monitor borders, analyze images, sort tips, and assist with decisions that can alter real lives. Many federal agencies must publish inventories describing these systems. That sounds reassuring until you remember who completes the inventory. An artificial intelligence inventory …
Resistance Survival Guide #317 A government agency denies someone medical care, food assistance, disability benefits, unemployment compensation, housing, or another essential service. The notice arrives late. The explanation makes no sense. The deadline is already breathing down their neck. When they call for help, a recording tells them that every representative is busy experiencing an …
Resistance Survival Guide #316 Once upon a time, and not so long ago, a government employee had to look you in the face before making a decision that could ruin your life. But now, the lazy government has decided to let the Cylons take over. Skynet, with little to no human oversight, can flag you …
Resistance Survival Guide #315 Government websites are supposed to serve the public. However, every visit can generate technical information about the visitor. That information can include an internet address, browser details, device characteristics, referral sources, searches, clicks, form interactions, and the amount of time spent on a page. Analytics can help agencies understand whether a …
Resistance Survival Guide #313 Government surveillance rarely operates through one agency or one database. Information can move between police departments, federal agencies, emergency management offices, schools, private contractors, technology vendors, and intelligence centers. Each organization may hold only part of the picture. Together, they can form a powerful government data fusion network. Mapping that network …