-Caveat Lector- forwarded..... Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com http://www.ioa.com/~davehart -----Original Message----- From: Globalist Agendas Sent: Saturday, August 21, 1999 1:43 PM Subject: Why we must seceed ... one example From: "Andy Keiser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Big Brother is Still After You Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 08:47:18 -0400 U.S. To Seek Computer Covert Action Powers WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Justice Department is seeking new powers to break into suspects' homes or offices and disable security precautions on personal computers as a prelude to a wiretap or further search, the Washington Post reported Friday. The department wanted to make it easier for law enforcement authorities to get search warrants for such so-called black bag jobs, said the paper, citing documents and interviews with Clinton administration officials. "In a request set to go to Capitol Hill, Justice officials will ask lawmakers to authorize covert action in response to the growing use of software programs that encrypt, or scramble, computer files," the report said. Such encryption makes computers inaccessible to anyone who lacks a special code or "key." Justice officials worry that such software "is increasingly used as a means to facilitate criminal activity, such as drug trafficking, terrorism, white-collar crime, and the distribution of child pornography," the Post quoted an Aug. 4 memo by the department as saying. Legislation drafted by the department, called the Cyberspace Electronic Security Act, would enable investigators to get a sealed warrant signed by a judge. This would permit them to enter private property, search through computers for passwords and install devices that override encryption programs, the Post reported, citing the Justice memo. The law would expand search warrant powers to include disabling encryption after secret break-ins. To pull information from a targeted computer, agents would still be required to get additional authorization from a court, the Post said. Justice officials were not immediately available for comment. The proposal is the latest in a years-long tug-of-war between the government and computer users who want to protect their privacy by encrypting documents. While Justice officials said their proposal was "consistent with constitutional principles," the idea alarmed civil libertarians and some members of Congress. "They have taken the cyberspace issue and are using it as justification for invading the home," said Jack Dempsey of the Center for Democracy and Technology, an advocacy group in Washington that tracks privacy issues. The proposal followed unsuccessful efforts by FBI Director Louis Freeh and other Justice officials to secure laws requiring built-in "back doors" so investigators could pierce powerful encryption programs said to be a boon to criminals. Andy Keiser DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
