Earlier quoted context omitted.
Snowden had also signed many NDAs with the government
I don't think that needs reminding.
> Unlike Snowden, I kept this to myself because I had signed (many) NDAs with the US Government.
How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
231–240 of 273 posts
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#232"One big change impacting surveillance was clear: Prior to September 11, the U.S. had what could reasonably be called a “wall” separating foreign surveillance for national security purposes done by the NSA from domestic surveillance for law enforcement purposes done by the FBI." It turns out that the above statement is not entirely correct. I was aware of this rule at the time (early 90's), and was very surprised to…
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Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#233Earlier quoted context omitted.
Aka the Executive Director of the EFF.
Former. She stepped down
She has not yet left her role, and they haven't named a successor.
>The search committee hopes to hire someone next spring, with Cohn planning to remain at EFF for a transition period through early summer
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/executive-director-cindy-...
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#234Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most people in the world? Potentially, though I doubt the "life ruined for years" part holds for >50%. Most people on HN? Definite no. Most people on HN who work in roles where they're exposed to such mass surveillance or other evil at scale (like Meta)? Absolutely not.
I've seen [alleged] homeless people post on here before. Do you really need more than an interest in tech (and an internet connection) to read/post here?
Exactly. I love reading on this site . Written while im on the public bus.
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#235"With all due respect, Cindy, you don’t know if they are classified since they don’t have to have markings and can still be classified. Only we can tell. And if they are classified, you are likely in trouble." That's awfully convenient. Impossible to check if something's classified, but you can still go to jail over it.
It's like a reverse get out of jail free card. Do the other party have evidence against you? Declare classified documents and they go to jail instead of you.
But if you pile the classified documents up in their bathroom, they’ll be fine.
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#236Earlier quoted context omitted.
that is a good way of looking at it. I wonder though, if power is a bad thing in and of itself. I know that there will always be power. I would rather have people with good intentions have it then the opposite. Not sure how that will happen. I think when more good people get involved I guess.
Nope. Power corrupts. Or as Frank Herbert said it, power attracts the corruptible. The solution is to not give anyone that much power over you!
There is no better way to neutralize an issue like spying on Americas politically than to have both political parties gaslight the public and assert that it isn't happening.
In politics as a team sport, you can't admit that your team would lie like that other team does.
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#237Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ron Wyden is my favorite senator and a great example of why Oregon is such a based/amazing state.
He randomly let me interview him for a doc 10 or so years ago as a young filmmaker. Super nice guy. Just let me stroll into his office and chat on camera for an hour as a nobody, all because I wanted to talk about net neutrality and other issues
A true man-of-the-people, a rare find in a world of "statesmen" and "robber barons" running everything.
I hope that Oregon can continue to elect people like him when he's gone. We really are a more free state than the rest of them (see our state constitution protecting rights to profanity up to allowing being topless in public legally, as just one tiny example)
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#238"With all due respect, Cindy, you don’t know if they are classified since they don’t have to have markings and can still be classified. Only we can tell. And if they are classified, you are likely in trouble." That's awfully convenient. Impossible to check if something's classified, but you can still go to jail over it.
Reminds me of the recent story about no fly zones around moving unmarked and unannounced government vehicles.
Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#239I suppose this is as good a place as any to dump this. In 2002, I was hosting a 1U server in downtown Los Angeles. No cages, minimal security, pretty sure I just walked in. Crash carts sat unattended, usually a screen filled with porn and a cable running on the floor to the nearest tap. I got the feeling that many of the techs were hosting porn sites as a side gig. On my second visit, in plain sight, was new construc…
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Re: How Mark Klein told the EFF about Room 641A [book excerpt]
#240Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's easy for others to say, "oy, you coward, you should have blown the whistle" from the comfort their web browsers. For what it's worth, I had a security clearance in a previous job (not as high as yours, I'm sure) and I understand where you are coming from. I would have likely done the same as you. Especially with my career and the ability to provide for my family on the line.
It's probably different if you have a family, but I have quit jobs over moral implications no problem. Most people have pretty flimsy morals and will do anything to keep the money rolling in.
It's a systemic issue if we can't afford to have morals. In the US, It's not just a paycheck you lose with your job. Many benefits are tied to employment. It's hard enough to quit a job (for any reason) in order to take time to find a better one. If you're whistleblowing it's even worse, as that generally invites a long legal battle & having future potential employers reluctant to hire you...
Of course, seeing what happened with Snowden or even other whistleblowers more recently, like Suchir Balaji or John Barnett, makes it clear that more than financial security is at stake & acts as a chilling effect.