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Ron Wyden Introduces Bill To Ban FBI 'Backdoors' In Tech Products

An anonymous reader sends this report from The Verge: Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is trying to proactively block FBI head James Comey's request for new rules that make tapping into devices easier. The Secure Data Act would ban agencies from making manufacturers alter their products to allow easier surveillance or search, something Comey has said is necessary as encryption becomes more common and more sophisticated. "Strong encryption and sound computer security is the best way to keep Americans' data safe from hackers and foreign threats," said Wyden in a statement. "It is the best way to protect our constitutional rights at a time when a person's whole life can often be found on his or her smartphone."

11 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. This is bothersome by WindBourne · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When NSA was set up, it was to SPY on FOREIGN powers, while securing our own equipment. Now, it is bothersome that backdoors are being built into personal level equipment.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
    1. Re:This is bothersome by thedonger · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Maybe the question we should ask is, How did we reach a point where we need a bill to prevent the government from forcing its will on manufacturers?

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
    2. Re:This is bothersome by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Actually, the FBI was originally formed (and with good reason, I might want to add) to act as a federal (as compared to local) police force, with the duty to enforce federal law, especially where local forces cannot due to limits in their jurisdiction. It was supposed to close a loophole where a criminal can simply move to another state to escape prosecution.

      Only with Hoover it really started to suck.

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      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. How long until he gets a phone call... by Grog6 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "You know, that's a nice life you have; drop the bill and none of your illegal activities come out."

    All congresscritters are criminals, so this won't take long to kill. :(

    You can't vote out the Gestapo.

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    Truth isn't Truth - Guliani
  3. "Make" or "convince" by jodido · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wyden's proposal says agencies shouldn't be allowed to "make" manufacturers put in a back door. How about "convincing"? All big corporations are on the same side as the "agencies"--and the US Senate, for that matter.

    1. Re:"Make" or "convince" by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 4, Insightful

      All big corporations are on the same side as the "agencies"

      Not on this issue. Corporations are happy to help if it boosts their profits, or at least doesn't hurt them. But once these backdoors went public, the backlash has meant fewer sales for American tech. That hurts profits. If this bill fails, as is likely, more and more people will buy non-American tech, from countries they feel are more trustworthy, like China.

  4. The killer bees are already out of the jar by chitselb · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Phil Zimmermann's PGP already put crypto in the hands of the masses. It was a little cumbersome to use, even back in the '90s, but it's there. Anybody who wants good crypto, even on their phone, can probably find it and set it up. That group especially includes what I will call dedicated professional terrorists. FBI tapping into vanilla off-the-shelf iPhones will not catch them. This bill is about the common tech carried by the common man.

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    never ask a question you don't want to know the answer to
  5. Re:I'm SURE Obama would sign such a bill by iggymanz · · Score: 2, Insightful

    some of your items are funny, even though I'm not an Obama fan.

    "punishes Syria for using chemical weapons against its populace", not our problem how a foreign government puts down internal rebellion. If enough people in Syria think that's bad, they can make a new government. would you rather those people were killed with guns? dead is dead, and Syria wa not a signatory to any ban on chemical weapons.

    Hold Putin accountable for invading Ukraine..how would Obama do that exactly, we already have sanctions. Start World War III? Ukraine should have become prospective NATO member, but they turned that down and so get to go things alone.

    balances the budget - not with Congress porkers we'll never do that

  6. It will never pass and not for the reasons by Stan92057 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It will never pass and not for the reasons many here might think. Other lawmakers will try to put other stuff/attachments in the bill that has zero to do with the bill. for example fund spy cameras for the police or fund something that will never pass, poisoning the bill. This is how all good bills are destroyed and making those who voted against the bill look like the evil doers when in fact they are voting against the bill because it contains SHIT.

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    Jack of all trades,master of none
  7. Re:Any other agencies or just the FBI... by Strangely+Familiar · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The term banana republic spring to mind.

    Try Rome around 100-75 B.C. It fits better with the current political climate of corruption, and the erosion of public virtue. The democratic republic was/is dying in all but name. Rome was no banana republic, and the U.S. is not much like one either.

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    Join the IParty!
  8. Re:Any other agencies or just the FBI... by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The similarities between the Roman Empire and the US are actually stunning to behold.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.