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Anti-porn Bill Could Impact All Open Wi-Fi Networks
by , 12:15 PM EST, December 6th, 2007
Anyone with an open Wi-Fi network could find themselves shouldered with new responsibilities if a bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives becomes law. The bill requires anyone with a wireless network that's open to the public to report any illegal images that pass through their network -- including "obscene cartoons and drawings" -- or face fines up to US$300,000, according to CNET News.
The SAFE bill, or Securing Adolescents From Exploitation-Online Act, is intended to help law enforcement with investigating and prosecuting people that use the Internet to distribute child pornography images. The side effect, however, is that anyone with an open Wi-Fi network will be required to comply with the law even if they operate a personal wireless network without a password.
While it's always a good idea to password protect your wireless network to help keep unwanted people out, this bill should give private network users more incentive to ensure they are keeping their Base Stations locked down. An open network could potentially lead to unexpected liability if a passerby uses the access point to find or share child pornography. It could also cause some businesses that offer free Wi-Fi service to shut down their open networks.
The SAFE bill must still pass the U.S. Senate before becoming law, which could take months.
Observer Comments
Yet another unenforceable law.
1) How do you capture every protocol that might be used to pass images.
2) How do you recognize an image contained within the protocol.
3) How do you recognize an "illegal" image.
Assuming this passes the Senate and is signed by the President, what Federal agency will be responsible for enforcement? FBI? Seriously.
If they are trying to require local law enforcement (as with the Brady law), then they will need to provide ample funding or it will get shot down just like Brady was.
This law is not really intended to protect children by forcing everyone to lock down their networks. It is clearly designed to allow law enforcement officials to snoop around open wireless networks and prosecute for whatever they discover. When the network is open, anyone can connect without a search warrant. When they connect, they can easily discover stuff other than child porn.
Let me say it clearly: kiddie porn peddlers should be castrated and thrown into an alligator swamp. There is plenty of perfectly legal, good-quality adult porn out there for all those who want it.
This law, however, won't do anything to prevent it. It's just like trying to prevent children from smoking by prohibiting (adult) smoking while walking outdoors. It is borderline irrelevant.
Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:26 pm Subject: Just great -- no more free WiFi
It will be a bit of a hassle, but if the law passes, all the coffee shops, airport terminals, public spaces (parks etc.) will have their WEP password prominently displayed. As long as your network is not open, the law won't apply. Meanwhile, the kids with iPhones will still be able to surf for porn...
Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:56 pm Subject: Just a piece of paper
...I just read the bill, and I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound here. All it says is that if a provider of some "electronic communication service or remote computing service" obtains knowledge indicating that illegal content passed through their network, then they are required to report it, but subsection (f) clarifies that this does not introduce any new requirements for such networks to actively surveil their users looking for violations. It only applies if a network operator somehow stumbles upon such knowledge and fails to report it.
The word "surveil" has been in use since the 1960s, according to OED. Doesn't definitively make it a word, for sure, but I think it does suggest it's reasonably well-established.
(Plus, there's nothing wrong with back-formations, and "surveying" in general has connotations different from "surveillance".)
Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:02 pm Subject: Remember, W was *elected by you!*
Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:17 pm Subject: Hoser!
QuoteMacRider wrote:
A couple of hundred years ago, the tea would have been in the harbor by now.
Am I ever glad to be Canadian!
The tea was in the harbor a couple of hundred years ago, the anniversary of the 1773 event is coming up in 10 days. Is it true that a lot of Canadians are descendants of Loyalists who fled/evacuated/emigrated from the USA because of persecution by the Revolutionaries?
I didn't vote for "W", most of us didn't.
QuoteGuest wrote:
Are there not laws in place that require a witness to a crime to report that crime? Seems that like that would cover the bases here.
Yes, but if you're not actively monitoring your Wi-Fi network, then you're not a witness. Read the bill -- none of it says anything about Wi-Fi networks. It talks about electronic communication services in general. If it were as bad as people are saying, wouldn't it require that, for instance, phone companies monitor all conversations and report anyone discussing plans to commit a crime?
I'm sure there are some people in the government who would like that, but I don't think this bill does any of that.
I'm not going to post it here, but would a comic like the recent one depicting Assassin's Creed Producer Jade Raymond um...going to great lengths to get male gamers to buy her game be considered an illegal image? I ask because its one of those things that, like Don Imus, I consider repugnant rather than funny but believe it to be protected by free speech. I'm really curious how the standard gets applied.
Further, if you have a wireless network that isn't running a password scheme but is running a MAC filter (so anybody can connect but only authorized MAC addresses get dealt IPs by the Router), is that considered open? I presume a situation could arise where law enforcement had the MAC address (perhaps a warrant for the sales receipt and then records from the PC manufacturer as to what MAC the computer's network card(s) have) and so connected to such a network without the knowledge of the owner. Again, child pornographers get what they deserve, but just like with "Megan's Law" there are constitutional/legal precedents to consider in how these investigations are run and laws such as these. As such I would be inclined to oppose such legislation.
Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:45 pm Subject:
I more referring to party-bashing (in either direction). This bill is actually bi-partisan (read the sponsors). Who people voted for is not relevant to the discussion and should not be brought up. Discussing the proposed law is fine, but we don't want this to degenerate into an anti-republican/anti-democrat debate. Stick to the merits (or lack thereof, if that is how you feel) of the bill.
Fortunately, it has not degenerated since my post.
QuoteIntruder wrote:
And, in other news, the stock price of Alcoa just went through the roof.
Sounds more like a cry for help.
If you liked my recruiting posters spoofs you may like what I did with some movie posters
Mactober and Mactropolis
Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:57 pm Subject: Re: Wifi Network and Porn Law
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
... I heard this tone in my head phones, and these people talking and spouting off Police radio codes. It was radio codes and sounded exactly like police or FBI surveillance. I noticed the girls looked a little too young, so I logged out immediately upon hearing it and cleaned all the history out. I heard them say, "170 men," too! Now, is it just in my head, or are the FEDS setting up websites with child porn pictures and trying to catch people logging in or downloading the material? Sounds like it! By the way, I am not crazy, and I do not hear voices. I heard it clearly! Clear as day!
Very funny post, guest. You definitely have some issues, but..
On a very serious note, I do have an explanation for you. I used to hear CB transmissions whenever a particular car drove by my house. It came through the speakers connected to my computer weather or not the computer was running at the time. It scared the crap out of me and my girlfriend the first couple of times it happened. So, your headphones could do the same thing.. pick up a random transmission from a nearby CB radio.
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