11–20 of 228 posts
If ME is not a backdoor then why doesn't Intel allow to disable it? Why don't they publish detailed descriptions? Why don't they allow user to run their programs on ME CPU?
If ME isn't a backdoor why did Russia and China start efforts to surplant Intel with locally sourced processors (even before US embargo'd Intel from china)
You can see how well this embargo works in every electronics mall
There can be discussions, there can be debates but in everyday life this is already accepted. And even if one does not want to accept it what are the choices given similar technology is now integrated in other processors?
If we accept that computers are essential to operate in modern society then this is akin to a company taking control of the water supply with the ability to stop supply and do other unknown actions with zero accountability.
If you expand this thought this is a kind of fascism. We could be left with a shell of freedom and democracy while the government in partnership with corporates take deeper control of day to day life.
TL;DR: Intel put a special High Assurance Platform (HAP) mode in ME for the US government. If toggled on, it disables all non-critical ME functionality. Questioned, Intel responded: > In response to requests from customers with specialized requirements we sometimes explore the modification or disabling of certain features. In this case, the modifications were made at the request of equipment manufacturers in support…
Rather than assume anything nefarious on the part of the USG, I'm willing to bet a buck that someone in the USG asked the right questions during contract negotiation, which is why this kill switch was added but not publicized to anyone outside participants in the HAP Program.
But maybe that contract negotiation also included a rhetorical question like "And you won't offer this option to other governments, will you?".
The more details leak about ME the more shocking it becomes. Why is this accepted in any free democratic society? There can be discussions, there can be debates but in everyday life this is already accepted. And even if one does not want to accept it what are the choices given similar technology is now integrated in other processors? If we accept that computers are essential to operate in modern society then this is…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
But maybe that contract negotiation also included a rhetorical question like "And you won't offer this option to other governments, will you?".
I mean, just asking for a feature exclusive to customers with the HAP Program is enough to meet that goal.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
If ME isn't a backdoor why did Russia and China start efforts to surplant Intel with locally sourced processors (even before US embargo'd Intel from china)
>even before US embargo'd Intel from china You can see how well this embargo works in every electronics mall
The interesting question here is: why undocumented. It was created on request, but nobody was told. Who pushed so hard ME to be on for everything but them? And why? We know the answer :)