Shareware Overload Trio 2/Shareware Overload Trio Volume 2 (Chestnut CD-ROM).ISO/dir33/cpsra106.zip/CPSRALER.106

Text File | 1994-01-01 | 14KB | 327 lines

Date: Thu, 21 Nov 91 10:28:07 EST
From: [e-mail] (Ronni Rosenberg)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: CPSR Alert 1.06

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                     CPSR Alert 1.06
                Wednesday, November 20, 1991

 The CPSR Alert is published by the CPSR Washington Office
        Send comments to [e-mail]
CPSR membership information contact: [e-mail]

- -------------------------------------------------------------
Contents
  [1] DC Notes
  [2] Sun Devil Documents Released
  [3] Court To Secret Service: "What Really Happened?"
  [4] CPSR Network Policy Meeting
  [5] Privacy Project Program Continues
  [6] Theatre Missile Defense Hearings (DOD press release)
  [7] Upcoming CPSR Events
  [8] CFP Proceedings Available

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[1]  DC Notes

        A new report from the Office of Technology Assessment
recommends the development of an automated Fingerprint Identification
System (AFIS) for the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) . . .
A Government Accounting Office (GAO) report finds ongoing security
problems with government computer systems . . . The report notes that
computers "hackers" discovered the security flaws though "there was
little evidence that the hackers destroyed information" . . . CPSR
may defend a person who was denied the right to vote in Virginia
because he failed to provide his Social Security Number (SSN) . . .
too many acronyms in the District of Columbia (DC) . . .

- ------------------------------

[2] Sun Devil Documents Released

        The Secret Service's response to CPSR's Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) request has raised new questions about the
scope and conduct of the Sun Devil investigation.  The documents
disclosed to CPSR reveal that the Secret Service monitored
communications sent across the Internet.  The materials released
through the FOIA include copies of many electronic newsletters,
digests, and Usenet groups including "comp.org.eff.talk,"
"comp.sys.att," "Computer Underground Digest" (alt.cud.cu-digest),"
"Effector Online," "Legion of Doom Technical Journals," "Phrack
Newsletter," and "Telecom Digest (comp.dcom.telecom)".  Currently,
there is no clear policy for the monitoring of network communications
by law enforcement agents.  A 1982 memorandum prepared for the FBI
by the Department of Justice indicated that the FBI would consider
monitoring on a case by case basis.  That document was released as
a result of a separate CPSR lawsuit against the FBI.

        Additionally, we have found papers that show Bell Labs in
New Jersey passed copies of Telecom Digest to the Secret Service.

        The material (approximately 2500 pages) also suggests that
the Secret Service's seizure of computer bulletin boards and other
systems during Operation Sun Devil may have violated the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act of 1986 and the Privacy Protection Act of
1980.

        Two sets of logs from a computer bulletin board in Virginia
show that the Secret Service obtained messages in the Spring of 1989
by use of the system administrator's account.  It is unclear how the
Secret Service obtained system administrator access.  It is possible
that the Secret Service accessed this system without authorization.
The more likely explanation is that the agency obtained the
cooperation of the system administrator.  Another possibility is
that this may have been a bulletin board set up by the Secret Service
for a sting operation. Such a bulletin board was established for an
undercover investigation involving pedophiles.

        The documents we received also include references to the video
taping of SummerCon, a computer hackers conference that took place in
St. Louis in 1988.  The Secret Service employed an informant to attend
the conference and placed hidden cameras to tape the participants.
The documents also show that the Secret Service established a computer
database to keep track of suspected computer hackers.  This database
contains records of names, aliases, addresses, phone numbers, known
associates, a list of activities, and various articles associated with
each individual.

        CPSR is continuing its efforts to obtain government
documentation concerning computer crime investigations conducted by
the Secret Service.  These efforts include the litigation of several
FOIA lawsuits and attempts to locate individuals targeted by federal
agencies in the course of such investigations.

        Contact [e-mail] (David Sobel)
- -------------------------------------------------------------
[3]  Court To Secret Service: "What Really Happened?"

        In a related matter, there has been an interesting development
in CPSR's Freedom of Information Act lawsuit for documents concerning
"Operation Sun Devil."  Back in June, the government claimed it needed
60 days to assemble information concerning "judicial sealing orders"
which, if they exist, would restrict the release of the search warrants
requested by CPSR.  The government was granted the extra time and then
filed a motion to dismiss the case that surprisingly made no mention
of the sealed warrants.

        CPSR responded with a motion to determine the existence or
non-existence of the phantom sealing orders (it is known that some of
the material involving Sun Devil searches was sealed for only 90 days
and there is reason to assume that *all* such seals would have been
for a limited time period).  The government responded with a motion
for a protective order.

        A hearing on the issue was held before Judge Thomas Hogan on
November 18.  The judge expressed his utter confusion over the
Government's position and asked for an explanation of the Government's
reversal on the issue of whether or not the warrants are (or were)
sealed.  Government counsel responded that they made a "litigation
decision" not to rely on the sealing orders, but to rely solely on
FOIA exemptions (ongoing investigation and privacy).  Counsel
represented that 22 of the 26 warrants at issue are, in fact, "sealed
indefinitely."  The judge seemed skeptical of the government's claim
and ordered the Secret Service to file an affidavit in 10 days
detailing the nature of the alleged sealing orders.  Another hearing
in the case is scheduled for December 17.

        Contact [e-mail] (David Sobel)

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[4] CPSR Network Policy Meeting

        As part of CPSR's ongoing work to shape a public interest
program for the development of the national computer network, CPSR is
hosting an informal working group meeting on Saturday, November 23
in  the CPSR Washington Office.  The meeting will bring together
representatives from the Center for Policy Alternatives, the
Institute for Policy Studies, the National Federation of Local Cable
Broadcasters, the Advocacy Institute, Apple Computers, the American
Library Association,  the Association of Research Libraries, the
Electronic Frontier Foundation, educators and local CPSR members.

        The meeting will explore recent developments with the National
Research and Education Network, prospects for rural area and regional
networks, the Paperwork Reduction Act and information access through
libraries.  It will also examine critical themes for the network
world, including civic leadership, "Open Roads," the strengthening of
progressive networks, and promoting public participation in network
policy development.

        A copy of a draft CPSR proposal on "Citizen Design of the
National Public Network" will be discussed at the meeting.

        Contact [e-mail] (Richard Civille)

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[5]     Privacy Project Program Continues

        The multi-part program on information privacy continues this
fall on radio stations across the country.  The series is produced by
Gregg McVicar with a grant from the Telecommunications Education
Trust. Many of the segments are taken from panel discussions at the
CPSR Computers, Freedom & Privacy conference this spring.  KALW
(91.7 FM) in the Bay Area is broadcasting "The Privacy Project"
Fridays at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Programs:

Nov 22  Access Device Fraud & the Race for Cyberspace

Nov 29  E-mail and Voice-mail monitoring

Dec 6   When Encryption is Outlawed, Will Only Outlaws Have
        Encryption?

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[6]  Theatre Missile Defense Hearings
     (Department of Defense Press Release)

        "The Theater Missile Defense program (TMD) is designed to
provide region-wide defense against enemy missile attack for United
States armed forces deployed abroad and for allies and friends of the
United States.  This system will provide us with an integrated and
comprehensive theater missile defense.

        "The Department of Defense invites you to attend and
participate in scoping meetings to determine the focus of a
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be
developed to analyze program-wide environmental impacts to areas
adjacent to potential testing installations and production/
manufacturing sites.

Your Chance To Be Heard

NOW - Dec. 6
Public Comment Period

DALLAS
December 3, 7:00 p.m.
Harvey Hotel - Dallas Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter
Freeway, Irving, TX

LOS ANGELES
December 5, 7:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Airport, Hilton and Towers, 5711 W. Century
Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

        Sign up to comment at meeting
Signing for the hearing impaired will be provided at all meetings

Toll-Free 800 Numbers
To comment.............................. 1-800-729-4TMD
For more information .................... 1-800-726-4TMD
TDD (For hearing impaired).............. 1-800-827-4TMD
        All Numbers available in Hawaii

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[7]  Upcoming Events

  1991
    Nov 21-22 Sixth Annual AAAS Colloquium on Science and
      Security: Science, Technology, and Security in the New
      International World Order
        Ramada Renaissance Techworld Hotel, Washington DC
           Contact [phone]

    Nov 22 US Privacy Council Meeting, Washington, DC
         Planning Meeting (Simon Davies unable to attend)
         CPSR Washington Office, 12 to 2
       Contact [e-mail] (Marc Rotenberg)

    Nov 23 "Citizen Participation in Network Development"
         Informal working meeting to discuss CPSR Network project
       Contact [e-mail] (Richard Civille)

    Nov 24 CPSR/Berkeley
      "Challenges of Providing Network Security,"
          Charles Cresson Wood, systems security consultant
      "Legal Issues Affecting Computer Users," Gary Cleveland
       Contact [e-mail] (Judi Clark)

    Nov 29 Science and Peace in a Rapidly Changing
            Environment, Berlin, Germany
         International Congress of Scientists and Engineers
       Contact: [e-mail]

    Dec 3-4, Electronic Democracy: Government Information,
        its Technologies and the Public Policy Debate
        Ottawa Congress Centre, Ontario, Canada
      Contact: Riley Information Services, Toronto
       416/593-7352 (tel) 416/593-0249 (fax)

    Dec 4 ACM SIGSOFT: Software for Critical Systems
      New Orleans
      Contact: [e-mail]

  1992
   Mar 18-20, Computers, Freedom & Privacy, Washington, DC
                       Allen Neuharth (USA Today) and
          Bruce Sterling (cyberpunk author) to speak
       Contact [e-mail] (Lance Hoffman)

   May 2-3, 1992 DIAC-92 Directions and Implications of
                 Advanced Computing, Berkeley, CA
       Contact [e-mail] (Doug Schuler)

[Send event announcements to [e-mail]]

- -------------------------------------------------------------
[8]  CFP Proceedings Available

        The edited proceedings of the First Conference on Computers,
Freedom and Privacy is now available.  It's an excellent collection
of materials and would be very useful for courses on computers and
society.  There is  a $10 discount for CPSR members.

        This book consists of the transcripts of the conference,
edited for clarity only. Sections include:

- - The Constitution in the Information Age
- - Trends in Computers and Networks
- - International Perspectives and Impacts
- - Personal Information and Privacy
- - Networks Environments of the Future
- - Law Enforcement Practices and Problems
- - Law Enforcement and Civil Liberties
- - Legislation and Regulation
- - Computer-Based Surveillance of Individuals
- - Security Capabilities, Privacy and Integrity
- - Electronic Speech, Press and Assembly
- - Access to Government Information
- - Ethics and Education

Ordering Information:

First Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy
IEEE Computer Society Press
PO Box 3014
Los Alamitos, CA  90720-1264

outside CA - [phone]
inside CA  - [phone]
fax        - [phone]

ISBN 0-8186-2565-1
IEEE-CS Catalog #2565

Price:
members of IEEE-CS or CPSR: $29.00
All others................: $39.00

All orders add $4.00 handling charge
CA residents add 7.75% sales tax

- ------------------- END CPSR Alert 1.06 ---------------------
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