When authorities realized the Paris terrorists used strong encryption to send messages to one another they went off the encryption deep end. Now, many nations are considering legislation to ban strong encryption. If strong encryption is banned, only terrorists will have it. Moreover, restricting strongly encrypted speech over the Internet would be a victory for the terrorists. After all, one aim of terrorism is to scare us into giving up our freedoms. Once we give up our freedom to communicate privately we are sliding down the slippery slope of despotism—and the terrorists win. Continue reading The Backdoor is a Victory for Terrorists
Category Archives: Privacy and Security
Government Surveillance Will Fragment the Internet
The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), in the role of protector of U.S. citizens, wants to watch over the Internet and its users through backdoor mechanisms and/or code breaking. This “weak encryption” policy has its “strong encryption” opponents who argue government surveillance of Internet companies, users, and foreign governments violates the fundamental constitutional rights of privacy and liberty. Continue reading Government Surveillance Will Fragment the Internet
Is the Apple Watch the Ultimate Digital Product?
Sales of the Apple Watch exceeded most prognosticators’ expectations, topping one million on the first day of pre-ordering [1]. Why? Continue reading Is the Apple Watch the Ultimate Digital Product?
Your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile—NOT!
It was my privilege in the late 1990s to manage the DaimlerChrysler Research NA lab devoted to telematics—the study of Internet-ready, GPS-informed cars and trucks [1]. The past 15 years has witnessed the dawning age of self-driving cars —robotic vehicles on the open roadways. Continue reading Your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile—NOT!