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Opinions on the SSSCA? Privacy in grave danger, perhaps?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by haven, Mar 11, 2002.

  1. haven

    haven Member

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    Someone forwarded me a bbs post about some proposed legislation. This does not seem to be a hoax, and it sounds quite scary and excessive. Let me know what you guys think.

    Here's the text of the bbs message. It includes links to further information.


    http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=728226&STARTPAGE=1

    http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/business/2764054.htm

    Incidentally, it's not at all clear to me that this would be Constitutional. So maybe the Supreme Court would take care of it, even if it is passed. I still don't want to see that happen, however.
     
  2. Vengeance

    Vengeance Member

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    The SSSCA is corporate sponsored legislation that basically infringes on the personal freedoms and basic rights of all individuals. I have already decided that if it is passed, I will be looking to move to a different country, as I will not be able to run linux, build my own computer, or really do my current job (working on computers) with these laws enacted.

    I am about 60% certain that this will passed. After the DMCA passed, it became apparent that any bill could pass, no matter how egregious its scope, if enough money was donated to the right people. These "laws" go under the guise of "protecting artists", yet are sponsored by Disney, the RIAA, and the MPAA.

    As far as I see it, the only hope is to get sane technology companies to back the fight against the SSSCA. Intel has already started the fight, and we (the Open-Source community) have begun our campaign to get more companies involved.

    Now, I haven't read the whole thing myself, but the abstracts I've read are truly incredible. That anyone would even CONSIDER this legislation is atrocious, and my entire vision of democracy in this country will be irreparably damaged.

    I will comment more when I have fully read and analyzed the bill.

    OH, and one more thing -- how come this hasn't been in the news so much? You'd think it would be big news, eh?

    Well, the companies sponsoring this legislation are the same bastards who own the news networks . . .

    We have approached a Corporate-run democracy, and it sucks . . . a lot!
     
  3. Vengeance

    Vengeance Member

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    Oh, and the DMCA is HEAVILY unconstitutional, but that didn't stop it from being passed . . . and the Supreme court hasn't said diddly about it . . .
     
  4. MadMax

    MadMax Member

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    this stuff really concerns me...i haven't read much about this, and I don't entirely understand it at this point, but i'd be interested in learning more.
     
  5. haven

    haven Member

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    vengeance:

    Could you explain it a bit more? I admit, that while I find the implications of this scary, I don't understand it as well as I should, since I'm not a techie.

    How would it be so damaging to research, etc? I see how one wouldn't be able to have open source code and build home computers, which is bad... but it's the rest that really seems ominous.

    Anyone else is welcome to try to explain this to my technically untutored self, too :).
     
  6. dylan

    dylan Member

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    haven, it's bad enough that simply installing linux on a computer would be illegal. One of the truly scary aspects of this would be the incredible effect on our nation's economy. All innovation in the tech industry would be stifled and slowed. Anyone coding anything would have to spend time and money checking for compliance with this bill. Remember, this bill affects not just home computers. The following is a quote from the draft legislation over what the bill will control:

    The term "interactive digital device" means any machine, device, product, software, or technology, whether or not included with or as part of some other machine, device, product, software, or technology, that is designed, marketed or used for the primary purpose of, and that is capable of, storing, retrieving, processing, performing, transmitting, receiving, or copying information in digital form.

    If you actually read the above paragraph, there is almost nothing electronic that is not covered in this bill. Palm pilots, cell phones, hell even clock radio's are affected.

    Non compliant computers are grandfathered in until 2005 (or maybe 2006, can't remember). Then, any non-compliant computer which is attached to a network (ie anything from the internet to a home network with two computers) is illegal. The consumer PC market will be demolished. Nobody will want one of these crippled computers.

    If you've got some time and are really intersted in this (and everyone should be interested because it will affect you in a negative way), I would recommend reading some techie sites like slashdot.org or kuro5hin.org. Do a search for SSCA. You'll be amazed at how frighteningly terrible this bill is. Frankly, the fact that this bill could even be introduced frightens me...
     

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