Forum: Internet Links
Topic: e-mail servers and the NSA
started by: Malcolm

Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 20 2013,10:30
< Not the first shutdown >.
QUOTE
The reason? Recent moves from private e-mail services like Lavabit and Secret Circle to shut down their businesses in order to protect customers from government surveillance.

Tell me again how these bullshit programs don't impact the lives of domestic citizens when the mere spectre of getting their info leeched is enough to force them to shut down the biz.

Posted by TPRJones on Aug. 20 2013,10:52
Much as I hate what the NSA is up to that sounds like grandstanding to me.  Anyone can have email security with a little PGP, and if you aren't already using PGP you aren't secure to begin with.
Posted by Malcolm on Aug. 20 2013,11:00
QUOTE
A more recent incident in December 2006 (see United States v. Boucher) involving US customs agents and a seized laptop PC which allegedly contained child pornography indicates that US government agencies find it "nearly impossible" to access PGP-encrypted files. Additionally, a judge ruling on the same case in November 2007 has stated that forcing the suspect to reveal his PGP passphrase would violate his Fifth Amendment rights i.e. a suspect's constitutional right not to incriminate himself. The Fifth Amendment issue has been opened again as the case was appealed and the federal judge again ordered the defendant to provide the key.

Evidence suggests that as of 2007, British police investigators are unable to break PGP, so instead have resorted to using RIPA legislation to demand the passwords/keys. In November 2009 a British citizen was convicted under RIPA legislation and jailed for nine months for refusing to provide police investigators with encryption keys to PGP-encrypted files.

Secure until the thugs come to shank you in the ribs.

Posted by TPRJones on Aug. 20 2013,12:07
Well, government thuggery is a whole other problem.  You can't blame that on email.
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