ccastmg@prism.gatech.EDU (Michael G. Goldsman) (04/18/91)
Today's New york times contains a good story on the biden bill. Its brings up the technical as well as Civil liberties problems with the bill. Give it a read... (page c21) I could type the damned thing in but its not a 5 minute job. (I'll do it if there's enough interest.) Here is the portion of the Counter-Terrorism bill us here guys are worried about: "It is the sense of Congress that providers of electronics communications services and manufacturers of electronic communications equiptment shall insure that communications systems permit the Government to obtain the plain text contents of voice, data, and other communications when appropriately authorized by law." It goes on to say that this text is very vaugue in legal terms. this was done, according to a Senate aide, to reach a compromise with the White Houses version of the bill which calls for incresing the power of the governemnt to search communications information. It also accurately reports that computer security professionals are appalled by the proposal because it would greatly reduce the effectiveness (and SECURITY) of their communications equiptment... Anyone know what the White house wants to do??? -Mike