[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [Raven] Technology to support legal intercept
rob.lockhart@mot.com (Rob Lockhart) writes:
[...]
> If I were a US carrier, I would tend to think that this would not be a 'good
> thing'. US carriers *must* (strong word intended since there's no choice in
> the matter) be CALEA-compliant by 30 June 2000. Failure to have implemented
> whatever 'safe harbor' standard exists for the industry in question will
> result in a 'US$10K/day/failed wiretap' fine for the carrier. Making it more
> costly just means that the carrier will have to fork over more money to be
> compliant by the 30 June date. Granted the US Congress allocated some funds
> for this, but those funds won't last long .. assuming there's still any left.
One of the problems I have with this argument is that the reality of
those constraints is mutable. We're not talking about the laws of
physics here. As with the recently changing situation of cryptography
in the US, our plutocracy allows changes to these requirements if
sufficient demand warrants.
This is quite a different situation from the usual IETF fare of
technical requirements. Deciding to ignore a technical requirement
might be justifiable, but it will not invalidate the requirement
itself. Defying political requirements is not the same.
So, ignoring the laws that can be changed by force of will, I think
we're left with the question: should the IETF abet snooping by making
the requisite protocols interoperable? I think that defiance is the
only rational response. Couch it in terms of IETF mission, scope, or
competency, if you like, but I don't think the IETF should focus on
nontechnical goals.
#include <disclaimer.h>
--
James Carlson, System Architect <carlson@ibnets.com>
IronBridge Networks / 55 Hayden Avenue 71.246W Vox: +1 781 372 8132
Lexington MA 02421-7996 / USA 42.423N Fax: +1 781 372 8090
"PPP Design and Debugging" --- http://people.ne.mediaone.net/carlson/ppp
_______________________________________________
raven mailing list
raven@ietf.org
http://www.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/raven