CPSR Alert 1.06

 

Date: Thu, 21 Nov 91 10:28:07 EST

From: ronni@ksr.com (Ronni Rosenberg)

Message-Id: <9111211528.AA18726@kaos.ksr.com>

Subject: CPSR Alert 1.06

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                     CPSR Alert 1.06

                Wednesday, November 20, 1991

 The CPSR Alert is published by the CPSR Washington Office 

        Send comments to rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org

CPSR membership information contact: cpsr@csli.stanford.edu

- -------------------------------------------------------------

Contents

  [1] DC Notes

  [2] Sun Devil Documents Released

  [3] Court To Secret Service: "What Really Happened?"

  [4] CPSR Network Policy Meeting

  [5] Privacy Project Program Continues

  [6] Theatre Missile Defense Hearings (DOD press release)

  [7] Upcoming CPSR Events 

  [8] CFP Proceedings Available

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[1]  DC Notes

        A new report from the Office of Technology Assessment 

recommends the development of an automated Fingerprint Identification 

System (AFIS) for the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) . . . 

A Government Accounting Office (GAO) report finds ongoing security 

problems with government computer systems . . . The report notes that 

computers "hackers" discovered the security flaws though "there was 

little evidence that the hackers destroyed information" . . . CPSR 

may defend a person who was denied the right to vote in Virginia 

because he failed to provide his Social Security Number (SSN) . . . 

too many acronyms in the District of Columbia (DC) . . . 

- ------------------------------

[2] Sun Devil Documents Released

        The Secret Service's response to CPSR's Freedom of 

Information Act (FOIA) request has raised new questions about the 

scope and conduct of the Sun Devil investigation.  The documents 

disclosed to CPSR reveal that the Secret Service monitored 

communications sent across the Internet.  The materials released 

through the FOIA include copies of many electronic newsletters, 

digests, and Usenet groups including "comp.org.eff.talk," 

"comp.sys.att," "Computer Underground Digest" (alt.cud.cu-digest)," 

"Effector Online," "Legion of Doom Technical Journals," "Phrack 

Newsletter," and "Telecom Digest (comp.dcom.telecom)".  Currently, 

there is no clear policy for the monitoring of network communications 

by law enforcement agents.  A 1982 memorandum prepared for the FBI

by the Department of Justice indicated that the FBI would consider 

monitoring on a case by case basis.  That document was released as

a result of a separate CPSR lawsuit against the FBI.

        Additionally, we have found papers that show Bell Labs in

New Jersey passed copies of Telecom Digest to the Secret Service.

        The material (approximately 2500 pages) also suggests that 

the Secret Service's seizure of computer bulletin boards and other 

systems during Operation Sun Devil may have violated the Electronic 

Communications Privacy Act of 1986 and the Privacy Protection Act of 

1980.  

        Two sets of logs from a computer bulletin board in Virginia 

show that the Secret Service obtained messages in the Spring of 1989 

by use of the system administrator's account.  It is unclear how the 

Secret Service obtained system administrator access.  It is possible 

that the Secret Service accessed this system without authorization.  

The more likely explanation is that the agency obtained the 

cooperation of the system administrator.  Another possibility is 

that this may have been a bulletin board set up by the Secret Service 

for a sting operation. Such a bulletin board was established for an 

undercover investigation involving pedophiles.

        The documents we received also include references to the video 

taping of SummerCon, a computer hackers conference that took place in 

St. Louis in 1988.  The Secret Service employed an informant to attend 

the conference and placed hidden cameras to tape the participants.  

The documents also show that the Secret Service established a computer 

database to keep track of suspected computer hackers.  This database 

contains records of names, aliases, addresses, phone numbers, known 

associates, a list of activities, and various articles associated with 

each individual.

        CPSR is continuing its efforts to obtain government 

documentation concerning computer crime investigations conducted by 

the Secret Service.  These efforts include the litigation of several 

FOIA lawsuits and attempts to locate individuals targeted by federal 

agencies in the course of such investigations.

        Contact sobel@washofc.cpsr.org (David Sobel)

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[3]  Court To Secret Service: "What Really Happened?"

        In a related matter, there has been an interesting development 

in CPSR's Freedom of Information Act lawsuit for documents concerning 

"Operation Sun Devil."  Back in June, the government claimed it needed 

60 days to assemble information concerning "judicial sealing orders" 

which, if they exist, would restrict the release of the search warrants 

requested by CPSR.  The government was granted the extra time and then 

filed a motion to dismiss the case that surprisingly made no mention 

of the sealed warrants.

        CPSR responded with a motion to determine the existence or 

non-existence of the phantom sealing orders (it is known that some of 

the material involving Sun Devil searches was sealed for only 90 days 

and there is reason to assume that *all* such seals would have been 

for a limited time period).  The government responded with a motion 

for a protective order.

        A hearing on the issue was held before Judge Thomas Hogan on 

November 18.  The judge expressed his utter confusion over the 

Government's position and asked for an explanation of the Government's 

reversal on the issue of whether or not the warrants are (or were) 

sealed.  Government counsel responded that they made a "litigation 

decision" not to rely on the sealing orders, but to rely solely on 

FOIA exemptions (ongoing investigation and privacy).  Counsel 

represented that 22 of the 26 warrants at issue are, in fact, "sealed 

indefinitely."  The judge seemed skeptical of the government's claim 

and ordered the Secret Service to file an affidavit in 10 days 

detailing the nature of the alleged sealing orders.  Another hearing 

in the case is scheduled for December 17.

        Contact sobel@washofc.cpsr.org (David Sobel)

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[4] CPSR Network Policy Meeting

        As part of CPSR's ongoing work to shape a public interest 

program for the development of the national computer network, CPSR is 

hosting an informal working group meeting on Saturday, November 23 

in  the CPSR Washington Office.  The meeting will bring together 

representatives from the Center for Policy Alternatives, the 

Institute for Policy Studies, the National Federation of Local Cable 

Broadcasters, the Advocacy Institute, Apple Computers, the American 

Library Association,  the Association of Research Libraries, the 

Electronic Frontier Foundation, educators and local CPSR members.

        The meeting will explore recent developments with the National 

Research and Education Network, prospects for rural area and regional 

networks, the Paperwork Reduction Act and information access through 

libraries.  It will also examine critical themes for the network 

world, including civic leadership, "Open Roads," the strengthening of 

progressive networks, and promoting public participation in network 

policy development.

        A copy of a draft CPSR proposal on "Citizen Design of the 

National Public Network" will be discussed at the meeting.

        Contact civille@washofc.cpsr.org (Richard Civille)

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[5]     Privacy Project Program Continues

        The multi-part program on information privacy continues this 

fall on radio stations across the country.  The series is produced by 

Gregg McVicar with a grant from the Telecommunications Education 

Trust. Many of the segments are taken from panel discussions at the 

CPSR Computers, Freedom & Privacy conference this spring.  KALW 

(91.7 FM) in the Bay Area is broadcasting "The Privacy Project" 

Fridays at 1 p.m. 

Upcoming Programs:

Nov 22  Access Device Fraud & the Race for Cyberspace

Nov 29  E-mail and Voice-mail monitoring

Dec 6   When Encryption is Outlawed, Will Only Outlaws Have 

        Encryption?

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[6]  Theatre Missile Defense Hearings

     (Department of Defense Press Release)

        "The Theater Missile Defense program (TMD) is designed to 

provide region-wide defense against enemy missile attack for United 

States armed forces deployed abroad and for allies and friends of the 

United States.  This system will provide us with an integrated and 

comprehensive theater missile defense.

        "The Department of Defense invites you to attend and 

participate in scoping meetings to determine the focus of a 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be 

developed to analyze program-wide environmental impacts to areas 

adjacent to potential testing installations and production/

manufacturing sites.

Your Chance To Be Heard

NOW - Dec. 6

Public Comment Period

DALLAS

December 3, 7:00 p.m.       

Harvey Hotel - Dallas Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter 

Freeway, Irving, TX

LOS ANGELES

December 5, 7:00 p.m.       

Los Angeles Airport, Hilton and Towers, 5711 W. Century 

Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

        Sign up to comment at meeting

Signing for the hearing impaired will be provided at all meetings

Toll-Free 800 Numbers

To comment.............................. 1-800-729-4TMD

For more information .................... 1-800-726-4TMD

TDD (For hearing impaired).............. 1-800-827-4TMD

        All Numbers available in Hawaii

        

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[7]  Upcoming Events

  1991

    Nov 21-22 Sixth Annual AAAS Colloquium on Science and 

      Security: Science, Technology, and Security in the New 

      International World Order

        Ramada Renaissance Techworld Hotel, Washington DC

           Contact (202) 326-6490

    Nov 22 US Privacy Council Meeting, Washington, DC

         Planning Meeting (Simon Davies unable to attend)

         CPSR Washington Office, 12 to 2

       Contact rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org (Marc Rotenberg)

    Nov 23 "Citizen Participation in Network Development"

         Informal working meeting to discuss CPSR Network project

       Contact civille@washofc.cpsr.org (Richard Civille)

    Nov 24 CPSR/Berkeley

      "Challenges of Providing Network Security," 

          Charles Cresson Wood, systems security consultant

      "Legal Issues Affecting Computer Users," Gary Cleveland

       Contact judic@well.sf.ca.us (Judi Clark)

    Nov 29 Science and Peace in a Rapidly Changing 

            Environment, Berlin, Germany

         International Congress of Scientists and Engineers

       Contact: beuschel@ics.uci.edu

    Dec 3-4, Electronic Democracy: Government Information, 

        its Technologies and the Public Policy Debate

        Ottawa Congress Centre, Ontario, Canada

      Contact: Riley Information Services, Toronto

       416/593-7352 (tel) 416/593-0249 (fax)

    Dec 4 ACM SIGSOFT: Software for Critical Systems

      New Orleans

      Contact: burgess@csl.sri.com

 

  1992

   Mar 18-20, Computers, Freedom & Privacy, Washington, DC

                       Allen Neuharth (USA Today) and 

          Bruce Sterling (cyberpunk author) to speak

       Contact hoffman@seas.gwu.edi (Lance Hoffman)

  

   May 2-3, 1992 DIAC-92 Directions and Implications of 

                 Advanced Computing, Berkeley, CA

       Contact douglas@atc.boeing.com (Doug Schuler)

[Send event announcements to rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org]

- -------------------------------------------------------------

[8]  CFP Proceedings Available

        The edited proceedings of the First Conference on Computers, 

Freedom and Privacy is now available.  It's an excellent collection

of materials and would be very useful for courses on computers and 

society.  There is  a $10 discount for CPSR members.

        This book consists of the transcripts of the conference, 

edited for clarity only. Sections include:

- - The Constitution in the Information Age

- - Trends in Computers and Networks

- - International Perspectives and Impacts

- - Personal Information and Privacy

- - Networks Environments of the Future

- - Law Enforcement Practices and Problems

- - Law Enforcement and Civil Liberties

- - Legislation and Regulation

- - Computer-Based Surveillance of Individuals

- - Security Capabilities, Privacy and Integrity

- - Electronic Speech, Press and Assembly

- - Access to Government Information

- - Ethics and Education

Ordering Information:

First Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy

IEEE Computer Society Press

PO Box 3014

Los Alamitos, CA  90720-1264

outside CA - (800) 272-6657

inside CA  - (714) 821-8380

fax        - (714) 821-4010

ISBN 0-8186-2565-1

IEEE-CS Catalog #2565

Price:

members of IEEE-CS or CPSR: $29.00

All others................: $39.00

All orders add $4.00 handling charge

CA residents add 7.75% sales tax

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