[PAA-Discuss] Fwd: Seriously? Expand online surveillance?

[rebelljb at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony D. Romero, ACLU <Executive_Director at aclu.org>
To: rebelljb at aol.com
Sent: Wed, Sep 29, 2010 3:25 pm
Subject: Seriously? Expand online surveillance?


Sign the ACLU's petition to Attorney General Holder: Rein in FBI 
surveillance
power.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=dygIDBYIG2y0FEUJRwMZCQ..

**************************************************

Dear ACLU Supporter,

Did you hear about this? The Obama administration is seeking to expand 
the
government's ability to conduct invasive surveillance online. (1)

This outrageous proposal would mandate that all online communications 
services
use technologies that would make it easier for the government to 
collect private
communications and decode encrypted messages that Americans send. This 
includes
communications sent using texting platforms, BlackBerries, social 
networking
sites, and other "peer to peer" communications software such as Skype.

While the country tends to other issues, the administration and law 
enforcement
officials are seeking greater power to invade your privacy. We must 
take a stand
against this proposal before it even makes its way to Congress.

Sign the ACLU's petition to Attorney General Holder: Rein in FBI 
surveillance
power.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=AzICmo8FxiqC0DXdxZuktQ..

So, what's wrong with this proposal?

*  Instead of securing our online communications and protecting our 
privacy, the
government wants to pave the road for more out-of-control government 
spying.
Concern over cyber security is at an all-time high. This proposal will 
create
even more security risks by mandating that our communications have a 
'backdoor'
for government use -- making our online interactions even more 
vulnerable and
easier to collect.

*  It's not only the government that will go through this 'door.' In 
2004,
hackers took advantage of a similar law in Greece to hack into mobile
communications systems and listen to the calls of high government 
officials --
including the Prime
Minister. (2)

*  The government has yet to make the case that encryption is actually 
hindering
their investigations. According to the most recent Wiretap Report3, law
enforcement encountered only a single encrypted call last year, and 
they were
able to learn the contents of that call in spite of the encryption.

Take a stand against this proposal. Sign the ACLU's petition to 
Attorney General
Holder: Rein in FBI surveillance power.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=EUxgB3tFIKUdMcSOSgh98A..

There is no justification for this move to put our personal online
communications within easy reach of the government's prying eyes.

We must send a strong and clear message to the Obama administration 
today: Do
not spy on me.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=kzOPkoZaniWPdFx_0huYyQ..

Thanks for standing with us,

Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director
ACLU

P.S. The ACLU is sounding the alarm about this dangerous proposal, but 
we need
your help. Forward this email to all your friends and family who care 
about
privacy. Or, spread the word on Facebook 
(http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=RpK_lKrTgvsfyQIgUOLc8w..
) or Twitter (http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=OVAa5GDC3PL2swj4elDLUQ.. 
).

© ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004

Sources:
1.  "U.S. Tries to Make It Easier to Wiretap the Internet," New York 
Times,
September 27, 2010.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=9jHrsdzK0ELFhkkipDqltw..

2.  "Top Greeks targeted in phone tapping scandal," Sydney Morning 
Herald,
February 3, 2006.
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=6xvaY4jRNvXdlepEzLCwow..

3.  "Report of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United 
States
Courts on Applications for Orders Authorizing or Approving the 
Interception of
Wire, Oral or Electronic Communications" (2009)
http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=a3BRV1SBsMdoKrbNbbrbSQ..


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