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This country just passed a law to ban 'fake news'; here's why critics say thats a problem
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Malaysia passed a law on Monday that prohibits the use of fake news, according to the Associated Press. - photo by Herb Scribner
Malaysia passed a law this week that prohibits the dissemination of fake news, according to the Associated Press. But critics worry that the move will silence dissenters ahead of elections.

Offenders of the new law would face a maximum six years in jail and a fine of up to $128,000, according to the AP.

The law defines fake news as news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false. This applies to digital news, social media and those who try to share fake news inside and outside the country, according to Reuters.

A heated debate ended with 123 lawmakers voting for the bill and 64 against it.

This law aims to protect the public from the spread of fake news, while allowing freedom of speech as provided for under the constitution, Law Minister Azalina Othman Said told parliament, Reuters reported.

Some lawmakers criticized the bill, though, saying it would lead the country closer to a dictatorship since its leader can control what is deemed fake news.

They also fear the bill, which covers all media and extends even to foreigners outside Malaysia, could be used against critics of gerrymandering or other aspects of the electoral process after parliament last week swiftly approved controversial new constituency boundaries for the elections, which are due in August but widely expected soon, according to the Associated Press.

David Kaye, who works as the U.N.s special rapporteur of freedom of opinion and expression, said on Monday that he wants the country to reconsider the bill.

I understand this #FakeNews bill in #Malaysia is moving (very) fast. I urge the Government to reconsider the bill & open it up to regular and genuine public scrutiny before taking any further steps, he tweeted.

James Gomez, Amnesty International's Southeast Asia and Pacific Division director, released a statement that said the law is intentionally vague and will end the right to free speech in the country.

"The Malaysian lawmakers didn't wait long to pass a vaguely worded, catch-all bill that can be and will be used to crack down on peaceful government critics. This bill cynically uses new Twitter jargon to pursue an old policy: criminalising free speech," he said. "The law which could be implemented within days doesn't only impose tough penalties and gives arbitrary arrest powers for police but also allows charges to be brought against other countries' citizens. It's an overt assault on freedom of expression."

Charles Santiago, a lawmaker from the Democratic Action Party, told The New York Times that the law is meant to instill fear.

But the government, he said, won't totally silence truth seekers.

These new laws are designed to create fear and make people think theres no way to stop the prime minister from winning re-election, he said. But the government cannot say that everything is fake. Truth still matters in Malaysia.

According to Reuters, other countries in Southeast Asia are considering bills to ban fake news, such as Singapore and the Philippines. However, human rights activists are speaking out against these moves.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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