FC: Bob Barr thanks IETF for not doing the wiretap thang

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

> From: "Alexander, Brad" <Brad.Alexander () mail house gov>
> Subject: Barr on Wiretaps
> Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 15:23:54 -0500
> X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21)
>
> BARR THANKS NET TASK FORCE
> FOR REJECTING WIRETAPS
>
> WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representative Bob Barr (GA-7) hailed reports today
> that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is poised to reject building
> wiretapping into the Internet.  According to Wired News, the IETF has
> "decided not to support wiretapping."
>
> This decision follows requests by Barr and other privacy advocates last
> year, urging the IETF to refuse to bow to government pressure to add
> surveillance components to the Internet.  The IETF is the international
> group of volunteer computer experts that sets technical standards for
> Internet communication.
>
> "Everyone who cares about their privacy in an age when information is
> becoming increasingly accessible should heave a sigh of relief at this news.
> If the IETF had agreed to  help build wiretapping into the Internet, our
> privacy would have been threatened both by invasive government surveillance
> and by individuals taking advantage of newly created back doors," said Barr.
>
> "Fred Baker and the IETF membership deserve our thanks for following this
> debate through and drafting technical standards that soundly reject Internet
> wiretapping," Barr continued.
>
> The text of Barr's letter to the IETF last year is available from his
> website at http://www.house.gov/barr/wiretapletter.html.
>
> --30--

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