National Security vs. Individual Privacy, In Person

Ames Cornish writes: "The non-profit SDForum's Internet Security and Privacy group is sponsoring a panel on National Security versus Individual Privacy on Wednesday evening, Oct 17th in Silicon Valley. It includes representatives from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the California Office of Emergency Services, KPMG Israel, and the Technology Editor from the San Jose Mercury News. The panel will address both sides of controversial topics including the 'Patriot' Act, Carnivore, encryption back-doors, and questions from the audience. This event is an excellent way to participate in intelligent debate about the role of technology in Homeland Security and Civil Liberties. Get your issues heard, and watch the sparks fly!"

Re:Call me scared

[DJerman]

Ok, you're panic stricken. Scared witless, apparently.

I support the investigation of criminals and their close associates, keep that in mind. I do not support the investigation of "unmoral activity" -- ask Billy Wilder about "unmoral activity" investgations by the House in the 50's.

The FBI, Secret Service, CIA and other state and federal agencies have been slapped for abusing their search and seizure powers more times than you can shake a stick at, for reasons varying from partisan politics to racial discrimination to "discussing dangerous ideas" to "just because". Ask Steve Jackson how long it will take to get your computer back if you follow a URL to a terrorist-supporting site because you wanted to check the balance in your IRA account....remember, the proposals let them thoroughly investigate anyone "relevant", with or without their consent, and your opinion of your relevance doesn't count. And with the new law, neither does the Court's.

This is not to say that the FBI and others don't do a stellar job most of the time, but hey -- they really have all the data collection powers they need (or very, very nearly). What they need to fight crime is better analysis, more clueful analysts, and more informants or undercover agents. Anything more is pretty much useless for fighting crime, but is useful for the next McCarthys. It might be useful to permit law enforcement to proceed with wiretapping for a limited amount of time, to permit speedy response, but taking court oversight out of the process practically ensures abuse.

Oh, and the only good that will come from a national ID is that you'll get more targeted ads. And it'll make database design easier. And forgers can reduce the amount of card stock they run through (since only one blank form will be needed to steal an ID). Terrorists will get and exercise their national ID's and the FBI will use the numbers to backtrack them after the fact. Unless of course, the terrorists have half a brain and get more than one ID.

Strange, but the investigators seem to be doing an efficient job of backtracking them now.... Why do we need it again?

Here's a start

[CaptainZapp]

And it'll make database design easier.

CREATE TABLE id (

card_id CHAR(255), /* card id, and lotsof sneaky data */

ssn NUMERIC(9,0)) /* must keep table short, is oracle db */

CREATE TABLE crime_tab (

card_id CHAR(255), /* foreign key to id */

terrorist CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

commie CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

geek CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

dopesmoker CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

un_american CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

mp3_pirat CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

hates_disney CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

no_gop_voter CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

cash_payer CHAR(3) DEFAULT "YES",

jail_no_parole_lifer_date DATE)

No need to thank me for this public service to the american people and the oracle corporation.

Blech

[DNS-and-BIND]

First, the event is fifty bucks. Not cheap.

Second, it's being held in an enclave of the rich, Silicon Valley, and is hence inaccessible to almost everyone. Why doesn't Slashdot start advertising for Aspen dinners to support saving the whales?

Third, what Silicon Valley worker can get off work as early as 6pm? My friend who worked there never left before ten...

Re:Blech

[karb]

Not to mention that it looks kind of one-sided (the department of emergency services representing the govt?)