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Politech is the oldest Internet resource devoted to politics and technology. Launched in 1994 by Declan McCullagh, the mailing list has chronicled the growing intersection of culture, technology, politics, and law. Since 2000, so has the Politech web site.
[Just because an entity receives MS cash does not necessarily mean MS dictates its opinions. Still, this is pretty silly. --Declan] --- From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms@computerbytesman.com> To: <declan@well.com> Subject: Open Source Software May Offer Target for Terrorists, According to Study by Alexis de Tocqueville Institution Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 09:43:54 -0400 IMHO, This press release is an updated version of red-baiting from the cold war era. Microsoft does provide funding to the ADTI folks, but it is unclear if Microsoft sponsered this particular study. Ironically the ADTI Web site uses Apache. Richard http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.053002/221502375 Open Source Software May Offer Target for Terrorists, According to Study by Alexis de Tocqueville Institution's Committee for the Common Defense Business Editors WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2002--Terrorists trying to hack or disrupt U.S. computer networks might find it easier if the federal government attempts to switch to "open source" as some groups propose. "Opening the Open Source Debate", a soon to be released white paper by Alexis de Tocqueville Institution details the complex issues surrounding open source, particularly if federal agencies such as the Department of Defense or the Federal Aviation Administration use software that inherently requires that its blueprints, source code and architecture is made widely available to any person interested - without discretion. In a paper to be released next week, the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution outlines how open source might facilitate efforts to disrupt or sabotage electronic commerce, air traffic control or even sensitive surveillance systems. Unlike proprietary software, open source software does not make the underlying code of a software confidential. "Computer systems are the backbone to U.S. national security", says Fossedal, chairman of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution and its Committee for the Common Defense, which will release the study. "Before the Pentagon and other federal agencies make uninformed decision to alter the very foundation of computer security, they should study the potential consequences carefully." CONTACT: Alexis de Tocqueville Institution Ken Brown, 202/548-0006 kenbrown@adti.net www.adti.net KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: E-COMMERCE GOVERNMENT INTERNET SOURCE: Alexis de Tocqueville Institution ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------