See url: http://cryptome.org/2015/06/question-of-trust.pdf
Page 33.
"Show me six lines written by the most honest man in the world, and I will
find enough therein to hang him." Cardinal Richelieu
Dear Colleagues,
As I was reading through this report (A Question of Trust) I came across the
above quote very early on, which I thought expressed so well, the way that
many folks feel when it comes to all this massive collection and storage of
all data pertaining to the internet of things. I am working my way through
the document, which I am finding quite interesting and easy to read and it
is most helpful in my getting a better understanding of the issues involved,
particularly the historical aspects and its width and breadth.
I would recommend reading it to those of you who have a particular
interest in the subject, particularly our 5 eyes citizens, as it helps
encapsulate what is happening in the world of Information Technology amongst
those nation states; its security (or the lack of it) and the balance
between data collection for the security purposes of the state, or for the
use of the private corporation; and protecting individual civil liberties,
such as free speech, freedom of association and freedom to inform
anonymously, through selective measures, both legal and in practice. Please
note, I am neither endorsing, or supporting, or condemning this report, but
trying to look at the stuff which interests me and may interest others, from
the point of view of an individual consumer and the man on the Clapham
omnibus... J. Neither do I consider it the "b" all and "end" all of
information on the subject. However, in my view it is a good starting point
to see where the problems are, what the problems are; and which way the UK
government is thinking and may develop its policies, laws, regulations and
methodologies of collection and protection in the future, and how those
developments will affect the relationship between the security of the state
and the civil liberties of the individual.
One problem which needs to be addressed in my view, and is nearly always
missed or goes unnoticed, is that once electronic information is collected
and stored, it cannot be deleted, unless the storage media itself is
destroyed effectively. A second problem is that whilst information may be
deleted from one storage media, it doesn't mean to say that it will be
deleted from all forms of storage media. In my view one of the best ways,
but not the only way, to operate a safer collection system would be to have
no mass collection and for the intelligence services and law enforcement to
use more selective and targeted practices, against suspected criminals or
terrorists; backed up by stronger public oversight (idealism rears its ugly
head again... J). Until such a system is in place, publicly verifiable,
open and transparent, then any measures for deletion of bulk electronic
material will not receive my support, however qualified by judicial or
executive or administerial oversight...With that in mind I will be
continuing to read this report with interest...and will let you know...when
and if I can be bothered...and if I think you are sufficiently
interested...and I am not doing any building work or gardening... J. As
always our colleagues views are much appreciated... J.
ATB
Dougie.
