"If a government has the source code it can find different sorts of security vulnerabilities and perhaps exploit them, [but] it's unclear whether access to the

"If a government has the source code it can find different sorts of security vulnerabilities and perhaps exploit them, [but] it's unclear whether access to the source code makes people better or worse off," said Clayton. ------ Take a look at FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and Linux if it's unclear to you. I don't really agree with that comment. Linux and the BSDs are open-source to everyone. The vast majority of the people who look at that code are good, honest people, who believe in openness and security for all. In this case, if it's only open to a national government, there's every risk of them discovering vulnerabilities and using them maliciously. I don't think they will, I just think comparing this deal to *nix is invalid. What I'm curious about, however, is how this stands legally in the U.S. I thought it was illegal for a civilian (and by extension, private corporation) to cooperate with foreign intelligence agencies, unless working through the federal government. Anyone know more?