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0 pointsdonavanm8y ago0 comments

Indeed. I remember the evolution of ECHELON in the 90s having the same impact in some circles. And then Carnivore coming out a decade later. If someone doesnt (at least) know of SHAMROCK and MINARET they really have no context.

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3 comments · 1 top-level

ethbro8y ago· 2 in thread

Also Clipper/Skipjack https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper_chip

hinkley8y ago

Unfortunately, people had already forgotten about the Clipper Chip when Al Gore got the nomination the first time.

ethbro8y ago

I believe we'd still have better outcomes from a candidate who was trained in the sciences than an alternative completely ignorant about technology.

I make mistakes when I'm writing code all the time. But as a science professional, I test my code against an objective reality, characterize my bugs, then change my approach.

Politics could use a lot more of that.

And I'd also offer that in the mid-90s key escrow wasn't as bizarre an idea. We were just starting to grapple with mass physical communication transitioning to digital.

And while I hate the dragnet currently used, targeted, court-approved interception of communication content is a good to society (via an effective law enforcement branch, hence an effective court system, hence rule of law).

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