Howdy all, On Melbourne's 3RRR radio show Byte Into It last night (2013-06-12), we had quite a lot of discussion about software freedom and other internet freedom topics. * An international coalition has been formed, aiming to get a fair deal out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. * It appears Microsoft have begun monitoring users' Skype communications. Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? Well... * The US Government is under intense pressure, after it was revealed that the National Security Agency has been monitoring worldwide online communications: * The program, known as PRISM, taps into the servers of Google, Apple and Facebook among others. * The NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden, has fled to Hong Kong, and doesn't expect to see his family again. Some see him as a hero. Others don't. * Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr believes that this is nothing to worry about, while Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Ludlam have voiced concerns. * In the end though, is it possible to exist online without casting a digital shadow? * Bookings open for the 2013 Intelligence Squared debates: "Copyright is Dead: Long Live the Pirates" - The Wheeler Centre, Tuesday September 24, 6:30pm. Audio is at URL:http://rrrfm.libsyn.com/byte-into-it-12-june-2013. -- \ “Members of the general public commonly find copyright rules | `\ implausible, and simply disbelieve them.” —Jessica Litman, | _o__) _Digital Copyright_ | Ben Finney