Matt Blaze
Contacting Matt Blaze
Federation handle:
@mattblaze@federate.social
Matt Blaze's Information
Matt Blaze's Bio
Scientist, safecracker, etc. McDevitt Professor of Computer Science and Law at Georgetown. Formerly UPenn, Bell Labs. So-called expert on election security and stuff. https://twitter.com/mattblaze on the Twitter. Slow photographer. Radio nerd. Blogs occasionally at https://www.mattblaze.org/blog . I probably won't see your DM; use something else. He/Him. Uses this wrong.
Matt Blaze's Posts
Matt Blaze has 159 posts.
Matt Blaze
Adding "providing information about upcoming international travel requirements for frequently visited countries" to the list of things I do that bother people, along with "posting black and white photos" and "discussing things that some people find uninteresting"
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Matt Blaze
@irizoris There's apparently a way to apply over the web, but I am aware of no one who's actually figured out how to do it that way.
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Matt Blaze
@conejoclint @ai6yr In most countries, you have virtually no privacy rights at the border.
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Matt Blaze
@Netux See below. https://federate.social/@mattblaze/113784912498913481
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Matt Blaze
For the record: This is inconvenient, and I don't like some of the security implications (needing a foreign govt app to apply, possible third parties handling data, etc), but this is NOTHING compared with the invasive visa application processes travelers from many countries have to go through.
Also, all the information the ETA application requires is (and has long been) captured at the border control checkpoint, too.
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Matt Blaze
@kellyd It's surprising how poorly publicized this has been.
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Matt Blaze
Oh noes, someone blocked me “for being an asshole” about this. Whatever will I do now?
I was honestly just trying to be helpful, but your kilometerage may vary.
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Matt Blaze
@CStamp To be fair, it’s the same data they currently capture at the border itself. But yes.
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Matt Blaze
@brianstorms Oh how sad for me. Bye bye.
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Matt Blaze
@Okanogen yes. Everyone except people with UK visas (eg, traveling to take a job or whatever).
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Matt Blaze
Matt Blaze Boosted@brianstorms nonetheless, I have no power or influence to address your concerns.
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Matt Blaze
@brianstorms nonetheless, I have no power or influence to address your concerns.
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Matt Blaze
Also: I am not the UK government. I didn’t create this policy or the app. I cannot do anything about your complaints or concerns about this.
I used my spare phone to apply, but you do you.
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Matt Blaze
@brianstorms You only need the app to apply. Complain to someone other than me if you don’t like it.
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Matt Blaze
@Polychrome I think it also applies to people from most other non-EU countries that can currently enter the UK without a visa. People with EU passports have a reprieve until May, I believe.
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Matt Blaze
Also, with my (recently issued) US passport, I had the best luck scanning the chip with the top of my iPhone near the top of the INSIDE of the BACK cover of the passport (contrary to the app’s instructions).
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Matt Blaze
Reminder if you’re unaware: most US travelers to the UK (including for flight connections) will need an “electronic travel authorization” starting January 8th, or you may be denied boarding for your flight or turned away at immigration.
It costs GBP 10 (about 13 bucks) and is valid for two years. The easiest way to apply is with the “UK ETA” iPhone or Android app, which scans your passport and face and takes your photo and money. Approval can take 3 days, but mine took less than 2 minutes.
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Matt Blaze
Matt Blaze BoostedThis was captured with the Rodenstock 90mm/5.6 HR-Digaron lens (@ f/6.3) and about 10mm of vertical shift to maintain geometry.
For years ago today, a group of insurrectionist losers sacked this building in an attempt to overthrow the US Government and prevent the transfer of power to a newly elected president. They got frighteningly close to succeeding.
This photo was made about six months later; some of the physical damage from the attack remains visible here.
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Matt Blaze
Matt Blaze BoostedUS Capitol Building, Washington, DC, 2021.
All the pixels, none of the rioting, at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattblaze/51221569646
#photography
Tags: #photography
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Matt Blaze
And if you’re scratching your head about the ferret part, you will find googling “Giuliani ferrets” a rewarding (and, surprisingly, also safe-for-work) exercise.
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