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In case you didn't read the whole letter, it basically tells him that the government makes the rules, that the rules say that these widely-publicized programs a
by downandout 13y ago
In case you didn't read the whole letter, it basically tells him that the government makes the rules, that the rules say that these widely-publicized programs are classified, and that if he wants to know what they have on him he can f@@k off. We should be outraged by these responses, but not particularly surprised. They are taking the only stance they can take: you found us out, but you can't do anything about it. The only thing that we can do is assume that every electronic communication we make is being monitored, stored, and analyzed, and conduct ourselves accordingly.
- linohh 13y agoIf we conduct ourselves accordingly, the NSA wins.
- downandout 13y agoI meant that we should secure our communications, not that we should kneel to our dark overlords.
- linohh 13y agoWhich is perfectly acceptable. However, we're computer experts. Most of us know how to encrypt. The common man doesn't. If we (the experts) go on the digital lam, the NSA still wins, because they get the common man. We need to make crypto easier, we need to provide tools everyone can use. It's our responsibility to educate the masses. Otherwise we're just as antisocial as the governments.
- jfolny 13y agoWell said, well said indeed.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- tjoff 13y ago"We need to make crypto easier, we need to provide tools everyone can use." If that succeeds, you still think encryption will be legal? (without support from the government (read: backdoor enabled))
- unclebucknasty 13y agoI agree with this. The NSA already has exceptions that allow them to keep encrypted data forever as they attempt to crack it. They have the law on their side and when they don't, they change it or fudge with loose interpretations. And even if encryption were to continue, next thing you know, we will hear about other technologies. Some crazy BIOS back doors, exploits, or chip-level garbage. To my mind, this is a legal issue more than a techical one. We shouldn't have to play cat-and-mouse with our government to protect our privacy. They need to be reined in legally, and all of this nonsense made punishable by law.
- Zigurd 13y agoThey already tried and failed to require a back door. There is a reasonable argument that the government does not want to make crypto software contraband. In any case, foreign hackers are still going to be after your data. It's insane that we don't have easy routine encryption of communications and data storage.
- ims 13y agoOne of the basic exceptions to FOIA is classified material. If that weren't the case, there would be no point in having classified material. To my knowledge, every government in the world has some sort of state secrets program. If you are against this, then that is at least consistent. But it makes no sense to say that the NSA should be releasing classified information under FOIA.
- wavefunction 13y agoSo "evidence" gathered in a claimed Law Enforcement capacity against our own citizens should be classified? Forever, like even if they decided to charge someone with something the evidence against them should remain undisclosed? Do you not see a problem with this?
- ims 13y agoIn no way did I imply that. I am responding to the central "story" of this article, which is about denied FOIA requests. My point was that FOIA is expressly not the right tool to attempt to get the USG to give you their signals intelligence due to a specific exemption (which is logical, or at least logically consistent) for classified information. Perhaps a lawsuit would be able to accomplish what you suggest. I have no idea.
- wavefunction 13y agoThanks for your take, it sounded like you were promoting the government's position.
- downandout 13y agoI am not of the opinion that classified information should necessarily be disclosed under FOIA. However, one could make a strong argument that because these programs have been officially acknowledged (which is inconsistent with the procedures for handling classified information), that their existence is no longer classified. NSA didn't have to make any public comment on the leaks at all; nevertheless, they chose to not only acknowledge the programs but also release a fair number of details, which would seem to have the effect of declassification. There is a similar principle in trademark law: failure to enforce the trademark results in a waiver of any rights granted by it.
- markvdb 13y agoIs there a public list of FOIA requests? In other words, can I check if my neighbour has filed a FOIA request?
- pzb 13y agoYou can request the FOIA log via a FOIA request. However the names of the individuals making requests are generally redacted as per privacy laws.