[thechat] Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA)

[Madhu Menon]

I suppose the American folks among us have already heard of this:

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,46655,00.html

If you haven't, I quote:

"The Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA), scheduled to 
be introduced by Hollings, backs up this requirement with teeth: It would 
be a civil offense to create or sell any kind of computer equipment that 
"does not include and utilize certified security technologies" approved by 
the federal government.

It also creates new federal felonies, punishable by five years in prison 
and fines of up to $500,000. Anyone who distributes copyrighted material 
with "security measures" disabled or has a network-attached computer that 
disables copy protection is covered."


This is absolutely insane! Hollywood is now going to dictate technology. If 
that's not scary, I don't know what is. I hope the US Congress has the good 
sense to defeat this lest it become a law and (hopefully) get thrown by the 
courts.

Regards,

Madhu



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Madhu Menon
User Experience Consultant
e-mail: webguru at vsnl.net