-Caveat Lector- Privacy advocates warn about Internet proposal Serial number of each PC would go with every parcel of data By Ted Bridis ASSOCIATED PRESS October 12, 1999 WASHINGTON -- Engineers designing a new way to send information across the Internet want to include a unique serial number from each personal computer within every parcel of data, an idea that privacy advocates fear could lead to tracing of senders' identities. Critics warn that, if adopted, the move could strip away a measure of anonymity and security enjoyed by tens of millions of home computer users who dial into America Online Inc. and other Internet providers over traditional telephone lines. The issue also illustrates the danger of the unintended consequences from arcane design decisions aimed at ensuring the Internet's stability into the 21st century. The proposal by the Internet Engineering Task Force, an international standards body, would include the serial number for each computer's network connection hardware as part of its expanded new Internet protocol address. These "IP" addresses, planted within e-mails and all other information flowing across the Internet, must be unique to distinguish each computer on the global network and to guide the billions of bits and bytes flowing among them. The task force's top engineers acknowledge some implications for online privacy, but, "I think the privacy concerns are overrated," said Fred Baker, the task force's chairman. But some privacy experts said they were appalled that engineers would consider the idea. The new address proposal, called "IPv6," would not become widely used for years but ultimately would affect every Internet user. Critics warned that commercial Internet sites, which already routinely record IP addresses, could begin to correlate these embedded serial numbers against a consumer's name, address and other personal details, from clothing size to political affiliation. The task force itself will ultimately decide whether to include the identifying numbers in the new IP addresses. The timing on that decision is unclear. Baker said the task force is also envisioning ways to configure Internet devices manually so addresses won't contain the sensitive numbers. "Those folks concerned about the privacy issue could use this (alternate) technique," said Thomas Narten, an IBM software engineer working with the task force. Most home computer users are assigned a different IP address each time they connect to the Internet through a telephone line, which affords some extra security and anonymity. It's akin to a person using a different phone number every day to shield his identity and avoid prank phone calls. But under the task force's proposal, a portion of even those somewhat randomly assigned addresses could include the consumer's unique serial number -- and that information would be stamped on every piece of information sent from his computer. "I'm just winding the tape forward here five years, when we all say, 'Oh, my God!' " said Richard L. Smith of Brookline, Mass., a security expert who was among the first to question the plan. The danger worsens, critics warn, as Internet sites begin to share information about their customers: A consumer visiting a Web site for the first time could be identified by his computer's serial number that had been recorded at another site. Copyright 1999 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. 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
