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Jimmy Wales Threatens To Obstruct UK Government Snooping

Posted by timothy on from the different-kind-of-man-in-the-middle dept.

judgecorp writes "Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has threatened to encrypt communications between Wikipedia and UK users in order to frustrate the proposed Communications Bill, known as the Snooper's Charter, which would give the UK government the right to routinely track citizens' web and phone use. Wales was addressing the committee which is scrutinising the Bill before it is considered by Parliament."

3 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. Good by netwarerip · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Nice to see someone has a pair of balls. Not very common on an adult named 'Jimmy'.

    1. Re:Good by camionbleu · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes, a good gesture indeed. However, encrypting the packets will not prevent traffic analysis by the UK government. To avoid that, individual users will have to take their own security measures (such as using Tor). Nevertheless, it's nice to see high-profile opposition to the Communications Bill.

  2. Re:Shouldn't Jimmy Wales be more concerned by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Shouldn't Jimmy Wales be more concerned with how he's going to keep scamming users for more money with his stupid "pledge drives"? Seems like Wales is trying to be another boneheaded Assange-like figure and make up wild accusations just to try and get a media spotlight.

    You know most of the time I disagree with down-modding people. I prefer to call them out instead, tell them why they're wrong and why their reason is faulty. I think that's more useful for the rest of the readers even if the asshat in question is too stubborn to admit obvious fault. Obvious fault like "it's a voluntary donation, why shouldn't people be free to make a gift when they want to", etc.

    But you, sir, are making me reconsider that point of view. There's no reasoning with people like you. You don't like Wikipedia, its administration, or anything about it, that's fine, don't use it. No one is going to force you to access the site. But that's not good enough, no not for you. You can't stand that other people derive value from it and want to see it prosper, and some of those people are willing to back that up by putting their money where their mouth is. You call this a "scam".

    Naturally everyone who disagrees with you is "stupid". If I like a beer you don't like then clearly I have substandard taste. If I like a song you don't like then obviously I know nothing about music. If I use an OS you don't use then of course I am a brainwashed fanboy. Yeah, I know how you think. There's lots of people like you. I wish there were other habitable planets our technology could reach, so then the rest of us can leave all of you to your own devices instead of having to partake of the taint you promote on this planet.