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Richard Smith Moves From Privacy To Safety

Posted by timothy on from the sleep-with-one-eye-open dept.

griffjon writes: "Wired has an article on Richard M. Smith's (the other RMS) retirement from The Privacy Foundation to focus on safety using personal information, saying 'Most citizens, including me, have now put privacy concerns on the back burner. Sept. 11 completely changed everything, and one of the things it changed is that people are far less concerned about what the private sector is doing with information, and far more concerned about what the government is doing to keep them safe.'" I hope that he'll be keeping an eye out for privacy violations regardless.

4 of 15 comments (clear)

  1. Hardware vs. software by VA+Software · · Score: 4, Informative

    Smith believes the most effective air security system is a low-tech solution: reinforced cockpit doors

    So the information expert's recommendation is a hardware solution?

    The people that are more knowledgable about such things think Anti-terrorist cockpit doors are dangerous

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    http://slashdot.org/moderation.shtml
  2. Fool. by forkspoon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Those who oppose freedom and civil liberties want exactly this - it is the definition of terrorism and a fundamental rule of war to psychologically terrorise your opponent. By abadoning core values for conveinience and "safety", one hands a victory to their opponent. This perspective is the policy equivalent to runny away from a bully.

    Thanks,

    Travis
    forkspoon@hotmail.com

    1. Re:Fool. by Kris_J · · Score: 2
      This is a load of crap. If I hold an unrealistic view of the world prior to a terrorist event then saying that replacing that view with a more realistic understanding of the way things work is somehow a victory for the terrorists is lunacy.

      Anyone that tries to convince you that changing your ways is somehow a "win" for terrorists simply has a vested interest in the stasis-quo.

      Be afraid - the world is a scary place. Be prepared - the world is an unpredictable place. Be alert - the world does not owe you a free ride.

  3. Re:Well, looks like he's right by Tackhead · · Score: 2
    No, the lack of comments just means it hasn't been a Slashdot front-page article.

    My take on his shift? Very simple.

    "Oh, fuck. The privacy-advocacy market is dead. Time to switch political viewpoints and save my career by joining the winning team."