The Hound 8/8

 

Hi there, It’s Friday. Today we’re talking about the Air Force withholding retirement benefits from trans former servicemembers, Trump’s push to undercount immigrants in the census, and more. We’re also tracking how major outlets have devoted far more coverage to actress Sydney Sweeney’s eugenics-coded ad campaign than to details in the Epstein case. 🖊️ Add your name to demand that news outlets prioritize substantive reporting over sensational distraction! SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE CIVIC SHOUT PETITIONS! Read about this, and more, with today’s stories: US Air Force to deny retirement pay to transgender service members being separated from the service (AP) Trump calls old foe Andrew Cuomo as he considers intervening in NYC mayor’s race to thwart Mamdani (The Independent) Trump wants a new U.S. census to exclude people here illegally. It'd be unprecedented (NPR) A CBP Agent Wore Meta Smart Glasses to an Immigration Raid in Los Angeles (404 Media) A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent wore Meta’s AI smart glasses to a June 30 immigration raid outside a Home Depot in Cypress Park, Los Angeles, according to photos and videos of the agent verified by 404 Media.  Meta does not have a contract with CBP, and 404 Media was unable to confirm whether or not the agent recorded any video using the smart glasses at the raid. Based on what we know so far, this appears to be a one-off case of an agent either wearing his personal device to an immigration raid, or CBP trying technology on an ad-hoc basis without a formal procurement process. Civil liberties and privacy experts told 404 Media, however, that even on a one-off basis, it signals that law enforcement agents are interested in smart glasses technology and that the wearing of smart glasses in an immigration raid context is highly concerning. “There’s a nonzero chance the agent bought the Meta smart glasses because they wanted it for themselves and it’s the glasses they like to wear. But even if that’s the case, it’s worth pointing out that there are regulatory things that need to be thought through, and this stuff can trickle down to officers on an individual basis,” Jake Laperruque, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology’s security and surveillance project, told 404 Media. “There needs to be compliance with rules and laws even if a technology is not handed out through the department. The questions around [smart glasses are ones] we’re going to have to grapple with very soon and they’re pretty alarming.” What Court Order? Federal Agents Keep Raiding LA Workplaces Despite Ban (The Intercept) Trump orders increased federal law enforcement in Washington DC to combat crime (The Guardian) Republican Woman Running for Office Thinks Women Shouldn’t Hold Office (The New Republic) Until next time, Harry from The Hound P.S. We’re always looking for new independent and progressive media sources to spotlight in our roundups. If there’s an outlet you think would be a great addition, reply to this email with your recommendation. We’d love to hear from you!

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