Join us for the next Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network meetup on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 2pm - 3:30pm in meeting room A at the Lawrence Public Library in beautiful Lawrence, KS! We will have more EFF swag to give away. The next meeting won't be until August so don't miss this one!
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Our April meetup was held at Lawrence Public Library in Lawrence, KS. Here are the notes from the meetup:
Some other things we talked about were ads coming to the Windows Start menu, insurance companies using drones to spy on your home, the possible return of red light cameras to Kansas City, KU receiving $22 million in federal funds for a national cybersecurity center, a ransomware attack on Jackson County, Missouri's county government, and the XZ backdoor. We will announce our May meetup in the next few days. We hope to see y'all there! The recent decision by St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer to compel Planned Parenthood to turn over documents to Attorney General Andrew Bailey is deeply troubling and represents a significant infringement on the rights of individuals seeking healthcare services. As an group dedicated to promoting privacy, we vehemently condemn any action that jeopardizes patient privacy and undermines the integrity of healthcare providers. Planned Parenthood, like all healthcare organizations, has a duty to protect the privacy and confidentiality of its patients, as mandated by HIPAA. The decision to compel the release of documents not protected by HIPAA sets a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching implications for patient trust and healthcare access. Furthermore, the rationale behind the investigation, alleging deviations from standard care practices, lacks substantial evidence and appears to be driven by partisan agendas rather than genuine concerns for patient well-being. Targeting transgender healthcare providers in this manner perpetuates discrimination and stigmatization against already marginalized communities.
We stand in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and other healthcare providers who are unjustly subjected to invasive investigations and legal proceedings. It is imperative that we uphold the principles of privacy, autonomy, and access to quality healthcare for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression. As advocates for privacy and civil liberties in Missouri, we call on lawmakers and judicial authorities to respect patient privacy rights, cease unwarranted investigations, and prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities in our society. On this April 1st, 2024, we have a shocking announcement to make. After much consideration, deliberation, and dark money bribery, the Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network has decided to take a drastic turn from our original mission and values. Effective immediately, we are abandoning our commitment to free expression, security, privacy, creativity, and access to knowledge. Instead, we are embracing a new direction that goes completely against what we have stood for. Henceforth, we will actively suppress free expression, compromise security, invade privacy, stifle creativity, and restrict access to knowledge in Kansas and Missouri. Our goal is to undermine the very principles we once championed and sow chaos in the cyber world.
We understand that this announcement may come as a shock to our supporters and partners. However, we assure you that this decision is not made lightly. We ask for your understanding and participation as we embark on this absurd and nonsensical journey. Thank you for your attention, and happy April Fool's Day. As an organization dedicated to promoting free expression, security, privacy, creativity, and access to knowledge in Kansas and Missouri, we recognize the importance of safeguarding minors online while also upholding fundamental rights such as free speech and privacy. While we understand the intentions behind the legislation in Kansas regarding age verification on pornography websites, we believe it's crucial to address the potential implications and concerns raised by various stakeholders. Firstly, we acknowledge the genuine concern of lawmakers and parents in protecting minors from harmful content online. However, we must ensure that any legislative measures implemented do not inadvertently infringe upon constitutionally protected rights, such as freedom of speech and press. The proposed legislation raises valid concerns about its potential impact on free expression and access to information, particularly for marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ teenagers. The broad interpretation of what constitutes "harmful to minors" could potentially restrict access to vital resources and information about sexual orientation and gender identity, undermining the rights and well-being of these individuals. Furthermore, there are legitimate concerns regarding the effectiveness and practicality of age verification measures. As highlighted by critics, technological advancements and the existence of unregulated platforms like the dark web could render such requirements ineffective, while also raising privacy and security risks for users.
Additionally, the potential for misuse of personal information collected for age verification purposes underscores the need for robust safeguards to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access. As an organization committed to fostering a safe and inclusive online environment, we advocate for a balanced approach that prioritizes the protection of minors without compromising essential rights and freedoms. This includes exploring alternative strategies such as comprehensive education initiatives, parental controls, and collaboration with internet service providers and tech companies to develop more effective and privacy-respecting solutions. In conclusion, while we recognize the importance of addressing the issue of minors' exposure to pornography online, we urge policymakers to carefully consider the potential implications and unintended consequences of legislative measures, ensuring they align with constitutional principles and respect the diverse needs and rights of all individuals in our communities. Join us for the next Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network meetup on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 2pm - 3:30pm in meeting room A at the Lawrence Public Library in beautiful Lawrence, KS!
Today's meetup on the Kansas side was at Lawrence Public Library. Here are the notes from the meetup:
We had a great time at the 2/18/2024 MOKANCAN meetup at Mid-Continent Public Library in Grandview, MO! Here are the notes from the meetup along with links to some of the things we chatted about:
It was a fantastic time! We invite you to join us for our next meetup, this time in beautiful Lawrence, Kansas, on March 3rd from 2pm - 3:30pm in meeting room A at Lawrence Public Library. Kris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General: The Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network is deeply concerned about the recent actions taken by your office, instructing public schools to disclose information regarding transgender and non-binary students to their parents, even in cases where the students have not shared this information at home. We believe that such a directive poses a serious threat to basic privacy rights and goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect for individual identity. Our primary objections to this proposal are as follows:
We call upon your office to reconsider this directive and engage in a thoughtful dialogue with stakeholders, including LGBTQ+ rights advocates, educators, and parents. Inclusivity, respect for individual identity, and the protection of privacy rights should be at the forefront of any policy discussions concerning transgender and non-binary students. Sincerely, Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network Join us for our next Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network meetups in both Kansas and Missouri! We will have our next Missouri meetup in Grandview, MO on 02-18-2024 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm at Mid-Continent Public Library in Grandview in meeting room 2. Our next Kansas meetup is in Lawrence, KS on 03-03-2024 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm at Lawrence Public Library in meeting room A.
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About UsThe Missouri and Kansas Cyber Alliance Network promotes free expression, security, privacy, creativity, and access to knowledge in the Sunflower and Show Me states. |