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Conundrum

Sun Jul 25 2010, 11:56AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

In response to the latest Aus "censor the censorship document" outrage..

seems that they have now taken to censoring lists of censored websites, because it isn't "in the public interest" (a favourite defence of the totalitarians) for people to know which pages are restricted, and why.

So good luck if you happen to end up on the "bad" list through no fault of your own, not only does your site traffic fall off but you can't even find out why they added it in the first place.
You see the danger here right?

Interestingly, George Orwell spoke of "telescreens".. Now replace that with the modern PC/MAC complete with built in webcams, microphones etc (and even using the built in accelerometer as a vibration/sound sensor) and you can see where this is going.

Pretty soon you won't be able to use any hardware which isn't compliant with the latest "standards" conveniently including built-in BIOS rootkits that "phone home" and can't be altered because they are built into the motherboard as part of the chipset.

This is already an issue, many new phones include the ability to run a low level operating system while in standby so unless you take the battery out (not an option on the latest phones) it could be recording your every move via inertial tracking and your conversations, etc (you don't really think the software takes up the whole internal memory, right?)

Wake up people, before its too late.

Discuss...
-A

GhostNull

Sun Jul 25 2010, 12:50PM

Registered Member #2648 Joined: Sun Jan 24 2010, 12:45PM
Location: Australia
Posts: 291

I don't think the current generation of government here really understands the internet. And I also think people WILL find a way around it. but then why are they making the new australia broadband network thing =/

Adam Munich

Sun Jul 25 2010, 06:21PM

Registered Member #2893 Joined: Tue Jun 01 2010, 09:25PM
Location: Cali-forn. i. a.
Posts: 2242

I'm glad that the right of free speech and right to bear arms shall not be infringed. Quite possibly the quickest way to start a civil war in my country would be to take either of those away.

Kilham

Sun Jul 25 2010, 08:09PM

Registered Member #2814 Joined: Wed Apr 21 2010, 12:28PM
Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 24

Conundrum wrote ...

Interestingly, George Orwell spoke of "telescreens".. Now replace that with the modern PC/MAC complete with built in webcams, microphones etc (and even using the built in accelerometer as a vibration/sound sensor) and you can see where this is going.

Display panels are currently being developed using photosensors and microlenses to produce an image without needing a camera stuck on top. Can't find it again but this gives some idea:
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7034866/claims.html

Coronafix

Sun Jul 25 2010, 11:59PM

Registered Member #160 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 02:07AM
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 938

Grenadier wrote ...

I'm glad that the right of free speech and right to bear arms shall not be infringed. Quite possibly the quickest way to start a civil war in my country would be to take either of those away.

Your country, just like mine, are too overweight and apathetic to do anything! Free speech is gone, our right to bear arms is gone, yours is in your constitution but that means shit because that is being eroded away as well.
We're all too busy watching it on TV!

UltraMagnus

Mon Jul 26 2010, 07:28AM

Registered Member #2875 Joined: Mon May 24 2010, 08:28AM
Location: England
Posts: 42

well, it seems at least the GOP doesn't want free speech in your "land of the free"

quicksilver

Mon Jul 26 2010, 05:56PM

Registered Member #1408 Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679

Conundrum:

I read the Register's article and couldn't find just WHAT would qualify for such a censorship. Do you know what WOULD be censored?

They made note of "online obscenity." and cartoon characters, etc but I would be very surprised if that shook them to the roots. Where do you think this is going?

Adam Munich

Tue Jul 27 2010, 01:23AM

Registered Member #2893 Joined: Tue Jun 01 2010, 09:25PM
Location: Cali-forn. i. a.
Posts: 2242

Coronafix wrote ...

Your country, just like mine, are too overweight and apathetic to do anything! Free speech is gone, our right to bear arms is gone, yours is in your constitution but that means shit because that is being eroded away as well.
We're all too busy watching it on TV!

Not really. There are way too many people in this country who take pride in their firearms. Hunters, rifleman, and people who just wan defense. As I said before, if the firearms are taken, a civil war would result. Maybe not in "sissy places" like NYC, but the people in the south, farmlands, and most suburbs would never stand for it.

Also, there is free speech aplenty here. What'chu talkin bout boi?

quicksilver

Tue Jul 27 2010, 06:37PM

Registered Member #1408 Joined: Fri Mar 21 2008, 03:49PM
Location: Oracle, AZ
Posts: 679

UltraMagnus wrote ...

well, it seems at least the GOP doesn't want free speech in your "land of the free"

I don't know if it's the case in the UK but in the States large corporations generally always contribute to BOTH parties. This is SOP for big wheels like AT&T, Insurance giants, Oil & Gas companies, etc. One of the greatest falsehoods is that there is a substantial difference between the parties. They posture as though they have different agendas but in reality; it's the same old song & dance.

Very few people actually read NAFTA & GATT. The net result was that manufacturing which was labor-intensive was able to move overseas with few tax repercussions. This was supported by Bush (1) and carried through by Clinton. When it comes to the money end of things, the parties hold hands in secret like school-age lovers.

Conundrum

Tue Jul 27 2010, 07:05PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

quicksilver wrote ...

Conundrum:

I read the Register's article and couldn't find just WHAT would qualify for such a censorship. Do you know what WOULD be censored?

It appears that not only objectionable material, but links to sites which are restricted *for any reason* (including human error or similarity to banned URLs) are being censored, as well as lists of such sites.
So if your particular site gets on "The List" there is no right of appeal whatsoever, just a massive drop in traffic.

You just don't want to know how bad this could be if due to no fault of your own your site or server gets hacked, and used to link to a bad site.. game over even if the problem is fixed quickly.

Is it just me, or is this a way for the Govt to control free and open debate about exactly what can and cannot be seen online?

Case in point, many electronics repair sites (especially mobile phone) sometimes include unlocking information as well as detailed schematics. Under the new rules they could be blocked because they "might" be illegal under the DMCA even though the various exemptions may be allowed and the information itself therefore legal.
It becomes "guilty until proved innocent" without the ability of proof, negating centuries of legal precedent with a single sweeping move.

-A

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