FBI to get veto power over PC software?

[cyberpj]

September 27, 2005 11:37 AM PDT
FBI to get veto power over PC software?

The Federal Communications Commission thinks you have the right to use software on your computer only if the FBI approves.

No, really. In an obscure "policy" document
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-151A1.pdf
released around 9 p.m. ET last Friday, the FCC announced this remarkable decision.

According to the three-page document, to preserve the openness that characterizes today's Internet, "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement." Read the last seven words again.

The FCC didn't offer much in the way of clarification. But the clearest reading of the pronouncement is that some unelected bureaucrats at the commission have decreeed that Americans don't have the right to use software such as Skype or PGPfone if it doesn't support mandatory backdoors for wiretapping. (That interpretation was confirmed by an FCC spokesman on Monday, who asked not to be identified by name. Also, the announcement came at the same time as the FCC posted its wiretapping rules for Internet telephony.)

more...
http://news.com.com/2061-10804_3-5884130.html?tag=nefd.aon

[mainegreen]

1. to promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet

We're shutting it down!

;-)

[bonito]

2. Rove is afraid of the population, administration security. n/t

[Callalily]

3. Although unconscionable . . .

I doubt the FBI would even have enough time to monitor/transcribe "average citizens’" e-mail. And I know that’s not the point, our privacy again is being invaded, and most likely without our knowledge, and that is truly wrong.

[MadHound]

8. Actually they already do friend, with about fourteen acres of computers

In an array outside of Langley. The array is called CARNIVORE, and it is under the auspices of the FBI.

Essentially what CARNIVORE does is scan each and every single e-mail, fax, and any other electronic communication for key words such as bomb, jihad, death, etc. etc. If these are found, the comminque is red flagged and shunted off to a life intelligence officer who then analyzes it.

There is also a program called ECHELON, under the auspices of the NSA that performs the same purpose, except for telephone communications.

Here is a link that has a bit more information, or just google it. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore_(FBI)> These things are real and operating now. Rather scary, eh? In essence, any conversation that you have that isn't person to person is now being monitored by your government.

Welcome to Orwell's America:eyes:

[klook]

11. Corrected link to Wikipedia Carnivore page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore_%28FBI%29

[Callalily]

14. Yes, I've heard

about CARNIVORE and ECHELON, and although disturbing, and mind you, I do not condone this practice, but it's highly unlikely any information gleaned via this process is ever going to even be transcribed/read by any FBI agent, at least from an average, every day citizen.

[Lowell]

4. They have long banned

double key encryption software. They want to be able to hack us without having to work too hard. Big Brother really is watching.

[Walt Starr]

5. This is also why the government dislikes the open source model

Anybody anywhere in the world is free to scratch their itch and come up with highly secure encryption models and the government cannot stop it.

[MazeRat7]

10. Yes like GPG - Its free, runs on most OS's, and they cant crack it.

http://www.gnupg.org/

This is your friend if you are concerned about privacy of your documents, email, etc.

MZr7

[Ioo]

6. Notice from the FBI: All Blogging Software is illegal, Stop Blogging.

BEcause the Administration does not like what you are saying, we are outlawing all blog software.

Signed,

Karl R

[cyberpj]

9. At this point that wouldn't surprise me --- "the terrists are using those"

sigh.

[lpbk2713]

7. Big brother is closing in on us.

They have three more years to make us a perfect society.

[tridim]

12. So.. What can we do about it?

It sounds like it's already law. Obviously it's completely unconstitutional, but will Bush's dream Supremes disagree? If so, then what?

[yowzayowzayowza]

13. So, with only the stroke of a pen...

all proprietary encryption methodologies utilized across the internet are illegal? I've got some hard core Rep customers who'll choke on that BIG TIME!!!

[longship]

15. They can have my Linux servers when...

they remove them from my dead, lifeless hands.

I buy connection and bandwidth. I supply all my own services. The feds have no say what I do with my connection or my bandwidth. They have no say what software I put on my computers or what software I don't put on my computers. I choose.

The FBI can go fuck itself.

Free software!
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