Amazon Is Making It Easier for Companies to Track You
– The Atlantic
In a letter to shareholders, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos discusses how Amazon’s cloud-services clients can use the company’s pre-packaged deep-learning frameworks that gives them easy access to advanced data-tracking tools. Amazon is essentially making the baseline for corporate surveillance online much more sophisticated. This may be exciting news for businesses that want to follow and analyze their customers and potential customers more closely, but for people concerned about individual privacy, this is a huge threat. And it’s already happening in the background of every business transaction you make – especially online – with remarkable precision.
Newly Energized Liberals Pour Record Effort Into Local Races
– The Wall Street Journal
Upset over Trump’s victory, grassroots Democrats enlist in nationwide efforts to swing special House elections, state contests and mayoral races. Much of the grassroots energy is being channeled not by Democratic leaders but by virtual political organizers who have proliferated online. Liberal advocacy sites like The Daily Kos and Moveon are breaking political fundraising and participation records, but Republicans counter that Democrats’ performance in other races so far this year is more bark than bite.
The Conservative Pipeline to The Supreme Court
– The New Yorker
The Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch, which were held last month, in Washington, D.C., quickly fell into a pattern. With the Federalist Society, Leonard Leo has reared a generation of originalist élites. The selection of Neil Gorsuch is just his latest achievement. The New Yorker outlines the Federalist Society’s involvement in the Supreme Court nomination process and its role in shaping the judicial philosophy of conservative jurists.
As Local Food Movement Grows, Who’s Policing the Produce?
– Governing
Many cities and states have made commitments to support and promote farm-to-table food. But few have fraud protections in place to make sure people are eating truly “local.” Governing explores this dynamic and its impact on restaurants in major cities around the country.