Full details: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~sfl/meetings/itconf.html PLEASE DISTRIBUTE AND LINK TO YOUR WEB-SITE: Scientists for Labour - IT & Communications Group Conference on Information Superhighway Policy --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Liberty on the Line : Opportunities and Dangers of the Superhighway" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Chaired by Geoff Hoon MP, Shadow Minister for IT Thursday 14th November 1996, 9am - 5:30pm MSF Centre, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1 (Angel tube) --------------------------------------------------------------------- For further details or to reserve a place contact: Caspar Bowden, SfL IT & Comms co-ordinator (qualia@dircon.co.uk) The debate over Internet regulation in the UK has focused mainly on censorship, but the standards for control of "encryption keys", currently being formulated nationally and internationally, will lay the permanent foundations on which the Information Society is built. The long-term implications for civil liberties have received little public attention outside the Internet community. Scientists for Labour is hosting a conference to look at the data protection and economic issues arising from the integration of digital signatures, electronic copyright management, and digital cash. What kind of regulatory apparatus will allow rapid growth of an information economy, but prevent misuse of personal data ? *) New government proposals on "Trusted Third Parties", which aim to preserve law enforcement and national security capabilities for warranted interception of communications (to fight crime and terrorism), place only procedural not technical limits on the scope of Superhighway surveillance. *) Super-computers have the potential to conduct random electronic "fishing expeditions" against the whole population. Telephone and letter interception cannot be automated : digital monitoring can. Will legal safeguards against abuse offer adequate protection in perpetuity, or can cryptographic protocols be designed which make Superhighway mass- surveillance impossible, while still allowing criminals to be targeted ? Computer and legal policy experts will explain the principles of the different technologies, and the international and commercial context, in a search for interdisciplinary solutions. The attendance fee is ?5 (?2 unwaged ; SfL members free) For press information please contact : Bobbie Nicholls, SfL Press Officer, Fax: 01235 529172 The Scientists for Labour home page (http://www.shef.ac.uk/~sfl/) has information on how to join SfL, or contact the Secretary : Dr Robin Walters (R.G.Walters@shef.ac.uk) Programme --------- 9.00-9.30 Registration SfL members free, non-members ?5 (?2 unwaged) 9.30-9.45 Geoff Hoon MP Introduction 9.45-10.45 Dr.John Leach Cryptography and developments in Trusted Third Party policy 10.45-11.45 Dr.Ross Anderson Some problems with the Trusted Third Party programme 11.45-12.00 Coffee 12.00-12.30 Simon Davies Escrow and the hidden threat to human rights and privacy 12.30-1.00 Elizabeth France (Data Protection Registrar) 1.00-2.00 Buffet lunch 2.00-2.45 Prof. Charles Public policy and legal aspects of Intellectual Oppenheim Property Rights 2:45-3.30 Alistair Kelman Electronic Copyright Management : Possibilities and Problems 3.30-3.45 Tea 3:45-4:45 Andrew Graham Will the Information Superhighway enhance or diminish democracy ? 4.45-5.30 Panel Session Discussion (inc. Robert Schifreen) ---------------------------------------------------------------------