Sex offenders could be forced to register their e-mail addresses and chatroom names, the government says.
This has got to be the stupidest idea I’ve heard for a while and a prime example of the illusion of security as often explained by Bruce Schneier. In real life it is tricky but not impossible to fake an identity. But online a new “identity” (email address or chat nickname) can be created in seconds. Plus, what is this supposed system that would be screen all of these people? How soon would that system’s powers be abused for “law enforcement” purposes or the database get leaked/stolen? There are some real technological geniuses manning the pumps somewhere in our government…
I agree of course, and felt very smart and techie when I thought to myself, hmm, can’t people just make new ids in a flash and isn’t this on all accounts a fairly majorly flawed plan? Then I heard that it was, and now you’re saying it. I am proud of my geekette status due to heavy influencing:) (though, to be fair, anyone with a brain and an email account knew the proposed regulation or whatever wasn’t a good idea).
Steinunn - February 7th, 2007 @ 12:22 pmGeek points to Steinunn!
olly - February 12th, 2007 @ 9:30 pm