The Newspaper Shop -- Tuesday edition

[TankGirl]

Originally posted by walktalker
News paradise for everyone, including all the nappyhardworkingnewsmanophobic ladies (assuming, of course, that there's any in this forum)

As reported by our hard-working, unselfish, non-whining newsman:
Anti-snooping operating system close to launch
Computer activists in Britain are close to completing an operating system that could undermine government efforts to the wiretap the internet. The UK Home Office has condemned the project as potentially providing a new tool for criminals. Electronic communications can be kept private using encryption. But new UK legislation will soon give law enforcers the right to demand encryption keys from anyone suspected of illegal activity. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) was introduced to update UK surveillance laws to include electronic communications. But privacy campaigners say it gives too much power to law enforcers and permits intrusive eavesdropping.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992335

This is an interesting battle. It is still hard to believe that Brits have allowed such a privacy-ripping legislation to pass, making UK effectively an online police state:

RIPA, introduced in July 2000, allows UK police to intercept electronic communications using equipment installed at ISPs. When part three of RIPA is brought into power later in 2002, police will also be able to demand access to message encryption keys. Those who fail to hand over their keys could face a prison sentence.

- tg