CNN: Virtual learning apps tracked and shared kids’ data and online activities with advertisers, report says

John Davisson, director of litigation and senior counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, called the issue “a regulatory failure, pure and simple.” But he said he’s encouraged by the Federal Trade Commission recently warning edtech vendors about their obligations to protect children’s privacy.

Read the full article here.

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How The Truck Driver Crisis Could Affect Preppers

The blood that runs through our nation’s veins is carried by the men and women who get behind the wheels of semis each morning.

On little sleep, they take on the essential yet monotonous task of delivering nearly every single thing you consume or require into your city or town.

According to Census.gov, 71 percent of all freight arrived by tractor-trailer last year.

Driving trucks for a living has been plagued by complaints about low wages, poor work life balance, and massive turnover. To articulate the crisis, that some even call a myth, we are around 80,000 truckers short of what is needed.

Add to this the skyrocketing price of diesel and we could see even more truck drivers bow out because they just won’t make the money, they need to justify giving much of their life over to their work.

Trucker shortage, fuel shortage, energy shortage, what does all of this mean for us preppers? This is the world we are inheriting.

If rapid action is not taken, then this holiday season is going to be a nightmare. Let’s look at how the truck driver crisis could affect preppers.

Survival Food Shortages

How The Truck Driver Crisis Could Affect PreppersSurvival food is a key element of any prepper’s food storage plans.

That freeze dried food has to be brought in as fresh ingredients.

Those ingredients are brought in by truck drivers. Then the food is freeze dried and packed up.

After that it leaves inside another truck. None of this is possible if we are dealing with a truck driver crisis.

The other thing that will affect your survival food is the fact that a truck driver crisis also means that deliveries of regular food to supermarkets could be staggered or missed altogether.

That means the average person will see less on the shelves. This could nudge them in the direction of buying their own survival food.

As preppers we often say we want everyone to be prepared but the survival food companies are not prepared for an influx of customers like that. They will run out of product and that might be product you need.

Neighbors Who Need Help

How The Truck Driver Crisis Could Affect PreppersNot everyone is prepared for a crisis.

This means they don’t have extra supplies or enough food to wait out the crisis.

If this is the situation, then you are going to experience lots of people who are slowly sinking into desperation.

Some will get resourceful and figure out where or how to get food. Others will not and they will be looking for people to help them.

Click Here To Learn An Insanely Effective Way To Build A 5 Year Food Stockpile

What is your plan when neighbors come knocking? If your neighbors know you are a prepper or even if they see your garden, they are going to expect some help if there…

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Senators Urge FTC to Investigate ID.me’s Facial Recognition Claims

In a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, Alex Padilla, and Cory Booker urged Chair Lina Khan to “investigate evidence of deceptive statements made by ID.me — a provider of identity verification services widely used by federal and state government agencies — about its use of facial recognition.” The Senators argued that ID.me’s repeated false claims about the use of one-to-many facial recognition technology constitute a deceptive practice that misled consumers about the safety of their biometric information and convinced government officials to use ID.me instead of competing products.

One-to-many facial recognition software is used to identify a photo of an unknown person and requires a database of face prints to compare the unknown image to. One-to-one face verification does not require a database of face prints. Although both forms of facial recognition technology are problematic, the use of one-to-many presents greater risks to privacy and civil liberties. ID.me previously claimed to only use one-to-one face verification technology before it was revealed that they used one-to-many also.

Recently, an EPIC-led coalition of privacy and civil liberties groups urged federal and state agencies to end the use of ID.me and other face verification services. IRS dropped its plan to use ID.me after criticism from members of CongressEPIC, and many others. The company came under fire for forcing individuals to submit to intrusive facial recognition identity verification, subjecting people to long wait times for verification, and misleading the public. Individuals can join organizations pushing back against the use of face verification by signing this petition to Dump ID.me.

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The following Dirty Rice recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader “Monkeyman”. 

The following Dirty Rice recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader “Monkeyman”.  He notes that he often makes this doubled recipe.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups brown rice – you can use white rice, just reduce the liquid to exactly 4 cups
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • One 14-oz. can of coconut milk, I add a little water to rinse out the can and add it
  • Lard, Olive Oil, butter, or your grease of choice
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds pork sausage
  • Dried Home Grown Sage, to taste
Directions
  1. Add rice, broth, coconut milk to large pot and bring to a full rolling boil.
  2. Turn heat down to low, cover and let simmer until all liquid is gone and rice is tender. (This is basic rice making; either brown or white)
  3. In a large skillet add garlic, onions and fry in oil. I add the Sage as the garlic and onions turn translucent and mix it up.
  4. Add the sausage and cook and chop it all up until it is fully cooked and resembles ground beef.
  5. When the rice is done, add it to the sausage and mix well combining all the ingredients together. Note: Sometimes the sausage is extra greasy; I dump the whole thing into a large metal colander and let it drain into the skillet with no heat.
SERVING

Some family members add salt to their own servings, to taste.

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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As FTC Warns EdTech Providers Against Student Surveillance, EPIC Urges Further Action

The Federal Trade Commission today unanimously approved a policy statement that prioritizes enforcement of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) against education technology providers and warns companies not to make surveillance a condition of accessing educational tools. The use of edtech expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Children should not have to needlessly hand over their data and forfeit their privacy in order to do their schoolwork or participate in remote learning, especially given the wide and increasing adoption of ed tech tools,” the statement reads. “Going forward, the Commission will closely scrutinize the providers of these services and will not hesitate to act where providers fail to meet their legal obligations with respect to children’s privacy.”

EPIC Law Fellow Sara Geoghegan delivered comments commending the FTC’s new policy and encouraging the Commission to use all of its authorities to protect children’s and students’ privacy, including promulgating a data minimization rule. The comments highlighted EPIC’s complaint against online test proctoring firms, which laid out how the pandemic exacerbated inequalities among students and how proctoring firms’ use of opaque, intrusive, and unreliable automated decision-making harms test-takers.

EPIC has long advocated for students’ and children’s privacy protections and regularly calls on the FTC to curb data abuses.

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EPIC Awards Forbrukerrådet with EPIC International Champion of Freedom Award

EPIC was pleased to today present the EPIC International Privacy Champion Award to Forbrukerrådet (the Norweigian Consumer Council) for its outstanding and influential work crafting substantive reports on the scope and impact of surveillance advertising and online data collection. Forbrukerrådet’s reports have played a prominent role in driving surveillance advertising and online data collection reform globally and solidified their reputation as true leaders for the consumer rights movement in Europe. This award recognizes Forbrukerrådet’s continued efforts to safeguard privacy and protect democratic values worldwide. The award will be presented by EPIC’s Alan Butler and Calli Schroeder to Finn Myrstad on behalf of Forbrukerrådet at the CPDP Conference in Brussels.

  • Finn Myrstad photoForbrukerrådet’s Finn Myrstad accepting the EPIC International Champion of Freedom Award. May 24, 2022 Brussels
  • EPIC Executive Director Alan Butler presenting the EPIC International Champion of Freedom Award. May 24, 2022 Brussels

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The Russia, China, Zionist Israel Partnership and the “Great Reset” Conspiracy Among Nation-States?

By: Gary D. Barnett

“Start believing in conspiracies, because those who have the power conspire, and they keep their power by having people not believing in conspiracies.”
~ Maria Karvouni

The planned escalation of the Russia/Ukraine false flag ‘war’ has been used to do great damage around the world; all of which was plotted and known beforehand. One aspect of this coup that is being overlooked, although some have been exposing this obvious collusion, is the relationship between Russia, China, and the Zionist state of Israel. This aspect of the intentional buildup of this staged conflict has received little reporting, and of course as always, this has been by design. What these global relationships, plotted global cooperation, and simultaneous actions reveal, is a vast global conspiracy where all participants act as one over and over again. This is not only unnatural, but impossible without prearranged complicity. This is the literal definition of conspiracy.

The U.S. has built the China system for decades, the U.S. helped rebuild Russia (Soviet Union) after WWII during the Cold War (and long before), funded and supplied the materials to build Russia’s nuclear arsenal, supported Putin early on, and has given aid over time to Zionist Israel of a quarter of a trillion dollars; this the admitted amount, which could certainly be higher. In addition, the U.S. has been the most major supporter of Israel and its deadly policies for decades, and its closest ally. With this in mind, Israel’s allegiance is currently to China and Russia, as the new world order is being constructed right before our eyes. Recently, Israel’s central bank chose sides, and added Chinese Yuan to its holdings, while cutting its supply of U.S. dollars. Israel and Russia now hold the switch to Europe’s gas supply, but there is much complicity among all the major players in this game of global control, including that of the U.S. and Israel, and this makes for ‘seemingly’ strange bedfellows. Are all these nation states seemingly opposing forces, or could this be a sign that Israel is aligning itself with new allies in order to facilitate the planned destruction of the West in favor of a prime seat at the new table of power?

The advancement of evil agendas requires ignorance and complacency by the masses, so that only the official ‘narrative’ is considered. This at once breeds contempt for indisputable evidence to the contrary, and therefore demands that all real conspiracy be viewed with extreme skepticism by the majority. That is why monumental censorship is now rampant. This attitude can be caused to exist by state collaborative efforts to induce mass apprehension among the people at large, and this it seems, has been an easy task to achieve. The arguments against the idea of conspiracy are not arguments at all, but simply bombastic refutation without merit; so much so as to gain the ability to completely avoid the truth by causing the sheep to hide from it. This tactic is not new, and has existed throughout…

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The Best Solar Powered Generators

[]

[]There are various kinds of generators available on the market, ensuring there is going to be something for everyone. It can be quite difficult to find the right generator for your needs, however, as there is so much to consider.

[]Not only do you need to consider the kind of generator you need, but you will also have to search through various brands and models to find the right one within this category.

[]One of the best kinds of generators is the solar-powered generator, as this is a versatile model and one that can be used for all kinds of purposes. But if you want to use solar generators, then you will need to scan the market for the best model out there to ensure all your needs are met.

Why Are Solar Generators The Best?

[]When searching for a generator, you will be faced with several types to consider.

[]Generators are categorized by their power source, which is the way they generate electricity. For example, a gas generator will rely on fuel – such as propane or natural gas – to generate power, but a solar generator will only need sunlight.

[]Sometimes, generators will have more than one power source offering backup power in times of need. 

[]With this in mind, most people will opt for a solar generator, and these kinds of generators are incredibly popular across the market. Whether you are looking for a portable generator to use when camping or something larger to power the home during a power outage, a solar generator is a great option.

[]This is because, using solar panels, this kind of generator only requires sunlight to offer electricity. Sunlight is something that can be accessed freely almost everywhere, at any time of the year making solar generators versatile, cheap to run, and a safe option for most.

Should I Get A Solar Generator?

[]Solar-powered generators come in all shapes and sizes, from portable generators to larger models to be used at home. This means that no matter why you are looking for a generator, there is going to be a solar one suitable for you. 

[]Solar power is a sustainable way of generating electricity, which is an important factor to consider during these times of climate issues. If you are wanting to go green when it comes to powering your RV or even your home, solar power is the way to go.

=30&&(alS!=34&&alS!=35)){ins.dataset.adFormat=’auto’;}else{ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+’px’;} container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,’stat_source_id’,44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,’adsensetype’,1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+’-asloaded’),{attributes:true});]]>[]By relying on sunlight, which is a natural occurrence and available in most locations at any time of the year, it can also be cheaper to run a solar generator than any other kind. A gas generator, for example, will require a lot of fuel which is something you will have to buy and have ready when you need the backup power.

[]Solar-powered generators, on the other hand, only need sunlight which is collected using solar panels. 

[]There are many perks to using solar-powered generators, which is why they are often considered the best out there. 

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Preparedness Logistics: The list of equipment and supplies.

You don’t have to be prepping for very long to know that the list of equipment and supplies never seems to end. As you move up from novice to expert prepper, your level of sophistication can actually decrease to some degree. As we all started out, we looked at the proverbial “Beans, bullets, and band-aids”. A good prepper is never really done with any one category but instead our sense of urgency shifts. I tend to shift my prepping based on a few variables. One variable is the demand. I refuse to pay $1 a round for ammunition, nor will I pay $200 for a thousand primers. Why? Simply because over the year I have steadily put back for a “rainy day”. So when ammunition or magazines become insanely high priced I switch over to focusing on something else like food, fuel or medical. This strategy has served me well for decades until now, when “everything” seems to be in demand and “everything” seems to be insanely priced. So, I have tried to find equipment and supplies that don’t seem to be in demand by the masses of new preppers. Here are some ideas to think about, if you are “okay” with basics:

When the power fails and our normal ways of heating our homes are no longer viable how are we going to heat our homes? Well, hopefully we all have wood-burning stoves but that will be far from the case. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces, it is said, have 70 to 90 percent of the heat go up the chimney. Hence the common fireplace is not an efficient way of heating one’s home. In the 1500s many English homes did not have fireplaces but rather they placed a small wood fire on the dirt floor in the middle of the home and kept it burning all day. In a somewhat different version, there were also reredos that were an open fireplace, made of fieldstone and perhaps some clay. The shape of many reredos would be like that of an armchair with no legs. The fieldstone would act as a heat sink to absorb the heat. Our modern homes are not conducive to doing this for a number of reasons, such as not having dirt floors, lower ceilings and not being as drafty — just to name a few.

As we often see in emergencies necessity becomes the mother of invention. People will do what they can, with what they have at the time to stay warm in a post-TEOTWAWKI world. (Please note this is for a long term grid down scenario like an EMP — not an ice storm.) A few items that can make heating our living spaces a little easier post-TEOTWAWKI are available, with no mad rush, are fire bricks, high heat silicone sealant, and welding blankets. Obviously, there are a number of safety issues with any fire, let alone with fires in post-TEOTWAWKI environments. I’ll leave it up to you to research how you may use these…

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7 Things You Have On Your Property That Will Attract Intruders When SHTF

Have you ever been invited to someone’s house for the first time and immediately knew they were a prepper? What jumped out at you to draw that conclusion?

The stockpiles of food and supplies in plain sight? The solar panels and generators? Oftentimes, quirky features make it completely obvious where a prepper resides.

The problem is if you can spot a prepper, who else can? When SHTF, where do you think desperate people are going to go first to beg, loot, and intrude?

That’s right, a property that looks like they have food and supplies is exactly where intruders will be drawn to. In all likelihood, soon-to-be intruders are already sizing you and your property up right now.

Instead of standing out like a sore thumb, here are 7 things on your property that are going to attract intruders if you don’t take the effort to hide them.

Visible Energy Sources

7 Things You Have On Your Property That Will Attract Intruders When SHTFSolar panels have become a typical feature of the average household across America. However, when SHTF, your solar panels, combined with your lights, fans, air conditioning, and appliances will attract undue attention from onlookers.

Related: How To Prepare Your House Against Looters

Generators are also prime items of interest for intruders during critical times, as electricity infinitely expands their options.

If you have any other sources of energy in plain sight, like diesel drums, wind, or water mills, these will also attract the attention of looters.

The most desperate intruders will not only want to take these items, but they will also conclude there are more valuable items in the house that they can steal.

Outdoor Appliances

7 Things You Have On Your Property That Will Attract Intruders When SHTFOutdoor deep freezers, extra refrigerators, grills, and smokers are necessary to stockpile food, and keep the inside of your home free of excess.

However, the visibility of outdoor appliances when SHTF will definitely catch the eyes of desperate intruders if they are in need of food and water.

Perform this mental exercise: Picture a desperate looter on the prowl for something to pilfer as they watch your garage door closing automatically when no one else has electricity.

At that moment, they catch a glimpse of your deep freezer and refrigerator. You have just made yourself an instant target to those determined to survive.

At that point, you better hope your self-defense system is primed and ready to go.

Livestock

7 Things You Have On Your Property That Will Attract Intruders When SHTFThough large animals are somewhat difficult to steal without a great deal of coordinated effort and risk, their presence implies that one is clearly prepared for the food crisis, as they are producing their own food.

Smaller animals like chickens, goats, or newborn livestock are also easy targets.

Even if these animals are not visible from your driveway or…

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