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FBI to get veto power over PC software
Posted by Mike (Shmoo) on September 28, 2005 at 5:04 PM   (printer friendly)

FBI to get veto power over PC software? --C-Net

September 27, 2005 11:37 AM PDT

The Federal Communications Commission thinks you have the right to use software on your computer only if the FBI approves.

No, really. In an obscure "policy" document released around 9 p.m. ET last Friday, the FCC announced this remarkable decision. [[FOLKS, I ain't no expert, but that link looks like an executable file to me. Be careful! If it is, scan it before opening!]]

According to the three-page document, to preserve the openness that characterizes today's Internet, "consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement." Read the last seven words again.

The FCC didn't offer much in the way of clarification. But the clearest reading of the pronouncement is that some unelected bureaucrats at the commission have decreeed that Americans don't have the right to use software such as Skype or PGPfone if it doesn't support mandatory backdoors for wiretapping. (That interpretation was confirmed by an FCC spokesman on Monday, who asked not to be identified by name. Also, the announcement came at the same time as the FCC posted its wiretapping rules for Internet telephony.)

Nowhere does the commission say how it jibes this official pronouncement with, say, the First Amendment's right to speak freely, not to mention the limited powers granted the federal government by the U.S. Constitution.

What's also worth noting is that the FCC's pronunciamento almost tracks the language of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Almost.

But where federal law states that it is the policy of the United States to preserve a free market for Internet services "unfettered by federal or state regulation," the bureaucrats have adroitly interpreted that to mean precisely the opposite of Congress said. Ain't that clever?


Posted by Declan McCullagh


User Comments (These do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of this site)

goldenpi  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 6:22 PM
You cant argue with this easily. Its part of the 'war on terror' thing, so any opposition is shouted down as a threat to national security.

MP3user  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 7:11 PM
.. and if not as a threat, as being un american, un patriotic, or anti-americanm... damned elitists out there...

RaidHHI  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 8:16 PM
Fattachmatch%2FFCC-05-151A1.pdf&siteId=3&oId=2061-10804_3-5884130&ontId=10784&lop=nl.ex

It's not an executable per say.

RaidHHI  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 8:17 PM
Come to think of it, it's a pdf file. :)
Downloads and opens in a new browser window for me...

independentm...  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 8:35 PM
Thanks Raid. It just looked spooky to me ending with the ".ex" and all.

grumpygeezer  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 10:22 PM

"The Federal Communications Commission thinks you have the right to use software on your computer only if the FBI approves."

And I think I have the right to use software that I've purchased the use of for my computer. As far as I'm concerned, that right trumps anybody else's thinking, including the FBI.
As an aside, if I use software that's not internet-dependent, so to speak, the FBI can take a hike!
(I'm being extra kind in the way I phrased that.)

ShadowMom  
Date: September 28, 2005 @ 10:53 PM
I think this means the Patriot Act trumps the Constitution, at least in this time of War on Whatever-ism. You still have the right to speak freely, and they have the right to listen in. Just ask them. If the FBI listened in on my phone conversations, they would all die of boredom anyway. :)

independentm...  
Date: September 29, 2005 @ 12:00 AM
Here's more bad news on it all

gfmlcka  
Date: September 29, 2005 @ 12:58 AM
"consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement."

sounds alot like fascism to me.
J. Edgar Hoover would be proud.

Accipiter777  
Date: September 29, 2005 @ 7:53 AM
we are on the way folks!
1984 is soon to arrive!
INGSOC!

JazonBladen  
Date: September 29, 2005 @ 11:53 AM
Remember, Palpatine used a war to seize power from the senate and turn it into the Galactic Empire. He waltzed all over the freedoms that the Republic represented because people were too scared to say otherwise. Sound familiar?

Bad-Mojo  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 2:38 AM
It's funny how the consersatives to this day, like to remind us of how we won the Cold War and caused the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and to warn us of the evils of tyranny in the world: But they don't hesitate to use similar tactics employed by these tyrannical governments... "Sneak and Peak" surveillance tactics, no holds barred wiretapping practices, and good old fashioned threats. Sounds like the Gestapo, the SS, or the Soviet Secret Police to me.
Toto, do we live
in United States anymore?

grumpygeezer  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 2:54 AM

I read an article just recently about some of the decidedly tyrannical methods used by our side in Iraq, a nation where we are hoping to encourage democracy to gain foothold.
Who was it that said "the end justifies the means"?
Could it have been Catholicism? (Historically, they have certainly embraced pragmatism, including the ethically questionable variety.)

PenisBrain  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 5:19 PM
"Sounds like the Gestapo, the SS, or the Soviet Secret Police to me.
Toto, do we live
in United States anymore?"

Funny Bad-Mojo with all these so-called secret police running around how have "you" along with George and Shadowmom been able to avoid capture all this time thus saving this website of your liberal paranoia and delusions of persecution.

Truth is if a sneak and peak can avoid 3,000 people getting slaughtered in NYC again by Islamofacists I'd gladly give up some personal freedoms to save lives. After all I have nothing to hide, do you Mojo?

Funny how these secret police "still" haven't clamped down on the likes of Al Frankin....If and when this liberal freak gets taken away for good then I'll worry but until then we have to put up with these nonsensical rants. Both out of Frankin's mouth as well as here.

gfmlcka  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 5:54 PM
Would Mr. Nothing to Hide post his email addr?

Didn't think so.

awehr  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 6:55 PM
it's obvious these people barely know enough about the internet to spell the word.

on a more comical note:
If they learned enough about the internet through use to make the foggiest legislation regarding it, they would not be able to spell at least 1/5 of what they type!
"u have to stop teh 5p4mm3r5!!!1111oneone"

PenisBrain  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 7:50 PM
That's simple gfmlcka.

The government for it's part just doesn't scare me. As for you A.N.S.W.E.R.\Cindy Sheehan types like yourselves, well you all kinda give me the creeps.

For it's part I give the Stalinist Murderous Rogue award to our dear cheapshot artists gfmlcka. Party on comrade it was well deserved.

Uncle Joe would have been proud.

gfmlcka  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 10:59 PM
You won't post your email address because you fear it will be abused.

If the government doesn't scare you, you need to pay closer attention.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9546933/

Go see "Good Night and Good Luck"
Or read about McCarthy and JEH.
Or Stalin and the KGB.
Just turn off Rush (cheapshot extrodinaire) long enough to get some actual facts.

Absolute power does corrupt absolutely.

Serves me right I guess for feeding a troll.

PenisBrain  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 11:23 PM
MMMM yeah we're posting links now from MSNBC. You know this network the one's who put out Democratic Party idiots like Chris Matthews and Keith Oberliberal failed sports hack now biased liberal hack. MSNBC who also is partners with Newsweek who gave us it's own version of Rathergate down there at Gitmo.

gfmlcka you really are a cheat shot artist and a corporate liberal media tool.

Sure McCarthy, Good Night, and Good Luck hugh? I thought we were against Hollywood here and this freak is giving kudos to a biased flick like this? You really are sad if it wasn't so funny. PLease I hope the stormtroopers are coming soon for you gfmlcka because you really need help.

And again can somebody please once again explain the meaning of a troll to these people....They just still don't get it.

PenisBrain  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 11:25 PM
That would be cheap shot artist but by now you know what you are.

PenisBrain  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 11:41 PM
Thought whoever posted this statement at rottentomatoes.com said it best about Clooney and his role in Good Night, and Good Luck.

"Clooney, the guy known for late-night partying at the Playboy mansion, as well as playing Batman with nipples, is about as convincing in serious in this movie as Michael Moore was in politics.
I'm feeling pity for those weak, easily-maluable minds who will walk into the movie theater expecting a deep sea of thought."

One that note I'll just say...Funnystuff.

grumpygeezer  
Date: September 30, 2005 @ 11:54 PM

"And again can somebody please once again explain the meaning of a troll?"

That was done during your blessed absence awhile back.
Perhaps the gentleman who quoted the definition will be so kind as to post it for us again.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 12:04 AM
Gadfly as we all know is good for posting gems from our "regs" and gfmlcka as you would expect here is the run of the mill paranoid Leftist so for laughs lets just look into the mind of a gfmlcka
shall we???

"comp: exactly. They are not protecting their kids. They are delusional and afraid of confronting reality.".. MMMM yeah look who's talking.

"The man is a corporate whore and has the donations and voting record to prove it." ....This from the same person who posts links from Bill Gates owned MSNBC calling others corporate whores makes me laugh.

"I choose not to pay the salary of the jerks in corporate headquarters and their lawyers.".......Sure you'd rather post links from their websites and cheerleading the corporate media movies to push your Leftist agenda.

Hypocrite!







PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 12:25 AM
grumpygeezer,

Do you live here? You're as bad as George grumpy. Or maybe you "are" George. Once again I figure it's five people posting under different names anyway.

It's all fun and games until somebody pokes out an eye.

gfmlcka  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 12:29 AM
MSNBC was the first to cover it.

rottentomatoes.com is your news source?

Troll : One who never posts opinions or links to
articles which are on topic to the site but merely attempts to get a rise out of regulars for his own perverse enjoyment. They rarely know how to spell much less put forward a coherent argument.

Google Gadflydiscourse and you'll see what I mean.

If that too is a cheap shot perhaps you should consider becoming less of a target.

"gfmlcka you really are a cheat shot artist and a corporate liberal media tool"

Odd, google gfmlcka and you'll find my opinions are decidedly anti-corporate media. But the facts never seem to get in your way. ESADA.

gfmlcka  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 12:53 AM
Oh another Rush tactic, take statements out of context. How Clever!

"comp: exactly. They are not protecting their kids. They are delusional and afraid of confronting reality."..

Read the thread, I stand by my statement.

"The man is a corporate whore and has the donations and voting record to prove it." ....This from the same person who posts links from Bill Gates owned MSNBC calling others corporate whores makes me laugh.

Read the opensecrets.org link. I stand by my opinion. So if I ever post a link to MSNBC that makes me a hypocrite? THAT'S FUNNY!

"I choose not to pay the salary of the jerks in corporate headquarters and their lawyers.".......Sure you'd rather post links from their websites and cheerleading the corporate media movies to push your Leftist agenda.

Again with the posting links nonsense.
I'm not cheerleading anything. I thought seeing a well researched movie about Edward R. Murrow might broaden your perspective about how government power can be abused and how we should be vigilant about the expansion of government powers. See the movie and then comment on it. Until then just stfu, ok?

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 12:58 AM
Google Gadflydiscourse,

And find how I've flamed each and every one of you the so-called regulars.

And for one who supposedly can't spell I don't seem to do so bad and I still gotz all me teeth.

As for Googling gfmlcka they "are" your quotes. As for what's perverse is your sense of reality where one believes in UFO coverups, JFK assassination as some kind of rightwing hit, and thinking that Hitler is alive and well in South America and ready to link up with "W" and ready to take away your rights.It's the kind of Far-Leftwing crazy crap that this nation hates. Makes the so-called "regulars" seem like a bunch of Cindy Sheehan\A.N.S.W.E.R. wackos.

You gfmlcka is this sites Michael Moore with it's systematized delusions of persecution and it's irrational suspiciousness at its very worst.

You sir are simply a sad little man. And don't forget the Right-wing are behind every tree and they "are" out to get you....Man my only wish would be that they'd hurry up with the task.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:18 AM
First I can't spell......Now I'm clever. I'm even confused. Which one is it?

Anyone who even cares about Edward R. Murrow can find him here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_R._Murrow

Those who are bored just reading about the guy will be happy to know that the public then like I am now dropped his "See It Now TV" show in favor of and get this..... The quiz show phenomenon of the 1950's. Seems the people back then were also tedious with this guy as I am typing about him to you.

To sum it all up I'll quote gfmlcka
hero here

"And so it is with confidence today that this reporter assures the American people and the world that sobriety, maturity, and prudence — not bombs — are the watchwords on the home front. Remember — our enemies can only win if they make us answer their violence with more needless violence."

Yeah, seems like the same girlie-men reporting we see from the likes of the Liberal media today. One can only hear Bin Laden laughing somewere.....

awehr  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:26 AM
dont feed the trolls.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:30 AM
"Until then just stfu, ok?"

gfmlcka, the beacon for civil liberties and personal freedoms is here telling somebody else to shut the "f" up.

Oh yes Hypocrite indeed!

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:31 AM
"dont feed the trolls."

awehr,

don't feed me....eat me!

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:42 AM
Ok awehr I can do better.

I wouldn't jump to far into this debate awehr because I've read some of your posts and I have to tell you pal, your spelling is A.T.R.O.C.I.O.U.S.

Did I spell that right carla60626? I mean gfmlcka ?

gfmlcka  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:52 AM
"And find how I've flamed each and every one of you the so-called regulars. "

With nothing relevant to say, ever. That's why you are a troll.

UFO's ? What the hell are you talking about?
JFK? Believe the Warren Commission, I don't care.
Hitler ? Again, what the hell are you talking about?

Thank you, unzippedfly, for letting me know what this nation hates. Next you'll be telling me that 52% is a mandate. Look at your Boy King's approval ratings.

As far as Michael Moore goes, personally I don't like him. He engages in onesided obfuscation and manipulation of the facts just like you and Rush and your sad little sheep herd do.

As far as "systematized delusions of persecution and it's irrational suspiciousness" you might just want to talk to Jose Padilla abou that.

I'm not a little man. I am sad about the shredding of the Constitution though.
You should read it sometime. No really.
Then think about how the Patriot Act, the DMCA and the Bono Copyright act take away the precious rights that wonderful piece of sheer genius gave us.

"And don't forget the Right-wing are behind every tree and they "are" out to get you....Man my only wish would be that they'd hurry up with the task."

Why must everything be right/left with you? I support some right wing republicans and I also support some left wing democrats. It all depends on their stance on a particular issue. Hatch(R) and Feinstein(D) are both douchebags in my book when it comes to copyright law.

As far as your wish that 'they' will 'get' me
I believe your party will be sufficiently occupied fighting off indictments:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2005/09/30/GOP_corruption/index_np.html

Now do us all a favor and enlist for service in Iraq.

I fought for my country in VietNam, now it's your turn.

gfmlcka  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 1:56 AM
you're right awehr.

sometimes it's fun to see what comes out the other end though.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 2:12 AM
Since I'm bored to tears after reading all that on Edward R. Murrow, The Gadfly figures it's time to have some fun. I've always been pretty good with the word jumbles(in spite of the fact I can't spell) lol (or can I) So lets have some fun with gfmlcka name.

Now off the bat I figure this person is using their initials along with their beloved. (Husband perhaps?)

For example,
gfm loves cka

Ohhh how sweet carla.

So am I right? Is it George and Carla working as a loving team? All is Far-Left in love and war it seems.

Yummy!


PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 2:22 AM
"I'm not a little man. I am sad about the shredding of the Constitution though."

MMMM I think I've seen that statement somewhere before......grumpygeezer maybe?

Doesn't matter. For all I know all these names are the postings of one paranoid schizophonic. (We already have codewarrior on record posting under different names) Nice job of making the numbers of members seem larger guys. Strange how everyone though parrots the same Far-Left rants.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 2:42 AM
MMM yeah Leftwing website salon.com.
More proof to the state mind we're dealing with here.

As for your service in Vietnam, did you gfmlcka do as John Kerry did and throw another persons metals away in a fit of liberal rage? Did you also go to the "Nam" with a camera crew as most liberals seem to do when they go to war? Did you flip flop being for the war before you were against the war? Did you also chase down an unarmed Vietnamese boy shooting him in the back. The very thought of the likes of you and John Kerry stinking up the honor of brave men who really fought and died makes me sick! I should know, real heroes from the current war come and go from my house today and they're not fighting to tell somebody to shut the "f" up. They're fighting for our freedoms to speak out for you all to spew your Stalinist filth. You should drop the Leftist garbage and thank them sometime.....Oh I forgot you support the troops but not the war.

Sure you do!

FrenchToast3000  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 3:02 AM
embarrasing.

PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 3:03 AM
Ok lets break this down,

"unzippedfly" Stick to the cheap shots gfmlcka. Even awehr gets better ones off.
That kind of namingcalling is cheap cheap. Fits ya though.

"Next you'll be telling me that 52% is a mandate. Look at your Boy King's approval ratings."...Newflash "W" is lame duck, who cares about rating at this point. as for that 52% the American people really did come out to keep that Democratic Party out of office didn't they? As will come 06 and 08. Face it people hate this party so much so they sign up and vote for the first time. Makes you wonder though given the latest examples of Democratic Party leadership
in The Big Easy and what their approval ratings would be if say John Kerry had won. Oh wait that's right he did lose didn't he....Seems in the end when quoting statistics The GOP outnumbers all of you.

And Thank God or the whole nation would be under the floodwaters of Democratic Party leadership.

Donkey is fitting for the Jackasses huh?


PenisBrain  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 3:36 AM
Ahhh Jose Padilla, almost missed that one.

The Smoking Gun has a declassified document detailing Padilla's U.S. bomb plots. Which can be found here.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0601042padilla1.html

Of course the fruitloops will say that the Rightwing stormtroopers beat it out of him but whatever. Enjoy!

awehr  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 4:02 AM
I repeat: don't feed the trolls.

dogpile  
Date: October 1, 2005 @ 8:45 PM
FBI approved software? Sounds like China to me. Maybe China does have something good to offer the U.S. Government.