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UK Government Pushing For 'Trusted Computing'

Posted by timothy on from the bland-acceptance dept.

Motor writes "As has long been expected — we are now beginning to see governments pushing for the use of so-called 'trusted computing' — chips installed in all computers that effectively remove control of the PC from its owner. While there may be security advantages to some of the ideas, few can doubt that it represents a fundamental shift in the IT world. A radical move away from an open technology landscape and towards a system that denies all access unless you have the right credentials. Governments will demand the right credentials to access their services — meaning approved software stacks (i.e Windows) with the right digital signatures. Vernor Vinge had it right ."

3 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. No, Thank You, Dear Government by koestrizer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My Linux machine is well-protected and I don't need your meddling nor do I need Microsoft's.

    1. Re:No, Thank You, Dear Government by Gaygirlie · · Score: 5, Insightful

      My Linux machine is well-protected and I don't need your meddling nor do I need Microsoft's.

      That is indeed one of the reasons why this will not work: there are people using all kinds of different OSes, including all the mobile ones, desktop OSes and whatnot. If the UK government were to only allow devices with the trusted computing built-in both the hardware and software they'd be instantaneously removing access for everyone who is used to using mobile devices to access those services.

      Another case of government not understanding technology, yet still pushing everyone to adopt it.

  2. Two words... by Doctor_Jest · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Fuck. Off.

    I will be the final arbiter of what runs on MY computers. Not some nebulous "trusted computing" that is in the back pocket of proprietary software conglomerates. There's no point in it unless the real agenda is to wrest control from users' hands. (The recent "secureboot" crap for Windows 8 is a prime example.) It's my computer. It's my data. It's not yours. It won't ever be yours. And no amount of fearmongering will convince me you have my best interests in mind.

    Kiss my ass. No, really. Not on the left cheek, not on the right cheek, but RIIIIGHT in the MIDDLE.

    --
    It's the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.