The government has made a small concession allowing companies to publish the rough numbers of certain kinds of demands for people's data.

This is not quite enough for us to tell whether we are all being surveilled. One single order (such as the one for Verizon) can cover the data of millions of people.

What we really need is for each company to publish a figure (even if approximate) for how many people's data was actually delivered to the government.

Information-gathering companies want to know so much about you that they can tell when you're about to buy something.

If these companies know what you're likely to do, the NSA will know if you are planning to be a whistleblower. The existing level of general surveillance in the US is already too much for democracy.

I will continue not to use most of the systems that would give companies such information about me. Don't be tracked — pay cash!

Costs of Privatization Hidden in Plain Sight.

It is no accident that privatizations are set up to give the public a bad deal. They are designed to do that.

Tunisia has adopted a constitution that recognizes religious freedom. However, freedom of expression may not be strong enough.

The Taliban are intimidating Pakistani journalists who might criticize their crimes.