Way to Go, FCC. Now Manufacturers Are Locking Down Routers
http://www.wired.com/2016/03/way-go-fcc-now-manufacturers-locking-routers/
HEY, REMEMBER WHEN the FCC reassured us last year that it wasn't
going to lock down Wi-Fi routers? And everyone breathed a sigh
of relief, because custom router firmware is actually a really
good thing? Sure, it's fun to improve your router by extending
the range or making your network friendlier for guests. But open
firmware is important for other reasons: it enables critical
infrastructure, from emergency communications for disaster
relief and building free community access points to beefing up
personal security. Well, there goes that. Because even though
the FCC said its new requirements were not intended to lock down
router software or block the installation of open source
firmware, at least one large manufacturer has reacted by doing
just that. And more could follow.
- - -
Unfortunately, the folks rightly fighting against this have proven
ineffective and refused suggestions for a campaign explaining the
dangers of these lockdowns in terms of privacy and security. They seemed
to feel that the FCC could be reasoned with on this. I disagreed. Oh
well.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein ([email protected]): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com/privacy-info
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org/pfir-info
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Google+: http://google.com/+LaurenWeinstein
Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com
I have consulted to Google, but I am not currently
doing so -- my opinions expressed here are mine alone.
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