Today's Headlines and Commentary

North Korea responded to Trump’s cancellation of the previously planned June 12 summit, according to the New York Times. Kim Kye-gwan, a vice foreign minister of North Korea, released a statement saying, “The unilateral cancellation of the summit was unexpected and very regrettable. But we remain unchanged in our willingness to do everything we can for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and of the humanity, so with a broad and open mind, we are willing to give the United States time and opportunity.” Kim said that North Korea was still “willing to sit down with the United States any time, in any format, to resolve the problems.”

Trump suggested that the June 12 summit could still happen, the Washington Post reports. Friday morning, Trump told reporters: “We’ll see what happens. We are talking to them now. It was a very nice statement they put out. We’ll see what happens.” He added: “It could even be the 12. We’re talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We’d like to do it. We’re going to see what happens.” When asked if North Korea was playing games, Trump replied: “Everyone plays games. You know that better than anyone.”

Facebook released its promised political-advertising disclosures, according to Politico. A tag identifies the purchaser of each advertisement. In order to place an ad that targets Americans, advertisers have to verify that they live within the United States. As a response to concerns that companies, such as news publishers, advertising may be treated as issue ads, Facebook is keeping a publicly available archive of the ads it tags. Instagram will also carry these features, as it is owned by Facebook.

Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation came into effect, the Times reports. The GDPR gives internet users more control over their online data and places constraints on how business may get, use, and handle it. The Times calls the law “the world’s toughest rules to protect people’s online data.”

Citing national security concerns, Canada blocked a state-controlled Chinese company from taking over a construction company, the Times says. The deal gained attention when Canadian politicians raised concerns about the company gaining access to government contracts, including those in the nuclear power industry. After the Canadian government conducted a review, it blocked the deal “in order to protect national security;” there was no further elaboration about what exactly was being protected and why it needed to be protected.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Bruce Schneier examined “Efail,” a recent email vulnerability disclosure, and drew lessons from both its vulnerabilities and the manner of disclosure.

Tamara Cofman Wittes discussed three insights she gained from observing the recent Lebanese election.

David Kris called for a change in the encryption review process: centralizing the review and approval of directives for assistance from private parties.

Matthew Kahn posted Trump’s letter to Kim Jong Un that cancelled the June 12 summit.

Kahn provided NSA General Counsel Glen Gerstell’s speech at the Georgetown Cybersecurity Law Institute.

Sarah Grant discussed the freeze on appeals in the 9/11 case because the CMCR lacks a quorum of judges.

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