GCHQ and the NSA

[chuckskull]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25297044

Leading global technology firms have called for "wide-scale changes" to US government surveillance.

Eight firms, Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, AOL, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Yahoo, have formed an alliance called Reform Government Surveillance group.

The group has written a letter to the US President and Congress arguing that current surveillance practice "undermines the freedom" of people.

It comes after recent leaks detailed the extent of surveillance programmes.

Interesting development. That's some pretty hefty lobbying power if they mean what they say it will be very hard for the US to resist.

[peterb]

<cynic mode>

Perhaps those eight are more concerned that the perception of surveillance is undermining people's trust in their network/cloud systems, with the potential to harm their profits, particularly as some are pretty adept at gathering personal information themselves for targeted advertising.

</cynic mode>

That said, it will be interesting to see how much influence they will have, and whether they will disclose if (or how far) they have cooperated with the NSA.

[pp05]

Yahoo and Microsoft have released press releases already saying they will encrypt all data using 2048bit encryption at their data centers. I feel this doesn't matter as the NSA decides what encryption is allowed or not allowed. The latter only made the move due to how behind Google they were on EFF website on the matter of security. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/1...hos-doing-what

[TheAnimus]

I think the idea is that they want the NSA to have to use warrants each time, so they can't wire tap, they must actually request and make MS comply.

[chuckskull]

It's a certainly a big if, but if their bottom line's are being affected by these programs there's doubt in my mind these companies will do everything in their considerable power to gut the program. Given how many senators and congressmen they must own between them, this is a far bigger threat to the NSA than the complaints of any foreign power or US court. Of course it all depends on the follow through.

[wasabi]

Yahoo and Microsoft have released press releases already saying they will encrypt all data using 2048bit encryption at their data centers. I feel this doesn't matter as the NSA decides what encryption is allowed or not allowed. The latter only made the move due to how behind Google they were on EFF website on the matter of security. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/1...hos-doing-what

As the Lavabit episode shows, they demand the certificates that will allow them access to whole system, not just records from one individual. So yes, further encryption might stop non-government bodies, but NSA/GCHQ have the legal power to walk right in and access whatever they want.

Add to that the fact that Microsoft et al can't tell anyone that their privacy has been invaded 'for national security', the whole thing is a complete kangaroo court.

I'm surprised the general public aren't more up in arms. These bodies and their employees deserve our contempt.

[chuckskull]

Now they're spying on WoW and Second Life. No really. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/wo...nted=1&hp&_r=0 Too funny.

Wonder if they'll try Eve. Kinda curious how the NSA would stack up against nullsec's propensity for (often highly professional)counter-surveillance for no other reason than I think it would be utterly hilarious to watch the NSA get convinced they'd found the motherlode by the security only to discover *goons*.

Also do these people not know most criminals just use the old save as draft-share account technique?