3 ms·
> If information could be classified, then you'd need a public register of classified topics, so that researchers would know what to avoid researching. Two poi
by aerostable_slug 4y ago
> If information could be classified, then you'd need a public register of classified topics, so that researchers would know what to avoid researching.
Two points: First, the general public has no duty to protect almost all classified data. If you've never had a clearance and signed the NDA, you can take TS/SCI material you found on the ground and publish it (you'd want to be real careful about not lending support to terrorists etc., because the gendarmes would likely be looking for anything to nail you on).
Second, we do have a public register of no-no topics (more accurately, topics you have an affirmative duty to protect even without a security clearance): the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1981.
- denton-scratch 4y agoThanks! I'm not from USA, and didn't know that, but I think it's much the same in the UK: if you sign Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act, I think you bind yourself to keep ALL official information secret FOREVER. I believe UK law supposes that if it isn't forbidden, then it's allowed. So if you don't sign, then it has to be the Espionage Act, which would be much harder to prosecute.
- aerostable_slug 4y agoOne exception: the UK has what's still colloquially known as a D-notice [0], which compels the recipient to not publish what they've got. The US doesn't have a direct equivalent. [0] https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/31/d-notice-system-state-media-press-freedom https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/31/d-notice-syste...
- denton-scratch 4y agoD-notices are advisory. They don't compel anything. They have no legal force.
- aerostable_slug 4y agoYou're quite right! My mistake.