Rich Kulawiec: > On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 04:53:48AM +0000, Jacob Appelbaum wrote: >> Sounds like someone should upload a package that fixes all of the >> privacy problems, eh? > > I've thought about this for a couple of days and about 20 miles, and > although my initial reaction was "yes, they should", I'm now going to > reverse myself and say "well...maybe not". Here's why. > > I think the problem here is not susceptible to patching, because the > root cause isn't software: it's mindset. The people who think that this > is actually a good idea -- and persist in thinking so despite cogent > (and in my opinion, highly persuasive) arguments to the contrary -- are > unlikely to shift course. The course they've embarked on inevitably leads > to more of the same -- oh, with different technical details and levels of > impact, of course, but still: more of the same. I am reminded of one > of my favorite quotes: > > "I could warn you of course, but you would not listen. I could > kill you, but someone would take your place. So I do the only > thing I can. I go." > > I don't think the situation is salvageable; I think the effort that could > be put into trying to do so is better spent elsewhere. > > I think it's time to go.
The Opt-out strategy is useful. The question is - how does it make Ubuntu safer or more privacy preserving? For example - what if we were able to make a privacy preserving version that was also reasonably secure and everyone was happy? Perhaps one where people might even be able to opt-out of the privacy enhancements? I'd be fine with such a choice - I don't feel like it is a lost cause either, I think it is, if anything, a lot of work. Who is more likely to experiment in this space? It isn't Apple, it isn't Microsoft, it isn't a lot of Free Software projects; Ubuntu could really improve on their privacy in a way that few others are able to do and in doing so, they'd find a privacy preserving way to make a profit with the consent of those involved. I think the first step is to design such a thing, encourage people to use it and then to show those who are skeptical that the work is done. Now, if they say no, yes, I agree - time to consider it a lost cause. Such a dialog hasn't happened and as a result, I think it is too early to quit. All the best, Jacob -- Unsubscribe, change to digest, or change password at: https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/liberationtech
