On Wed, 13 Jul 1994, Jim Miller wrote:
In the latest Wired issue (2.08) there is a small blurb about a new version of the Digital Telephony Bill that the FBI has presented. According to the blurb, a couple of Senators has expressed a willingness to sponsor this new version. Anybody have any more info on this?
Jim_Miller@suite.com
The FBI submitted a bill to Congress in March at the time of the Freeh testimony. That draft was rejected by the Congress but at the same time Sen. Biden has told the FBI that he would introduce a bill for them. A working group of hill staffers from relevant Congressmen and Senators has been working on an "acceptable" bill to industry and the FBI. Industry's position has been led by the Digital Privacy and Security Working Group. For some strange reason, privacy and consumer advocates usch as ourselves, the US Privacy Council, Public Citizen, PIRG, Consumers Union etc.who are still demanding that the FBI give us a serious rationalle for this substantial change in the law have been left out of this deal-cutting frenzy. We have also been repeatly turned down from obtaining a copy of the draft legislation. What little we have learned is that there will still be a legislative mandate that surveillance capability will be built in will remain. Control will be placed in the hands of the attorney general, the FCC and the courts. A meeting was scheduled for last tue, the 12th, to determine if a good deal had been cut. So far, no word. We expect that if a dela was cut, official legislation will be introduced shortly after the Supreme Court confirmation hearings are complete The moral of this story? Those that really believe that industry and their proxies will protect their privacy - I have a bridge for you to buy. Cheap. And dont forget that its an election year. Dave Banisar EPIC