tempest devices and use

[Perry E. Metzger]

> From: treason at gnu.ai.mit.edu
> 
>      For those who are interested in tempest devices and such...
> 
> It is currently legal to create/buy and use tempest devices for any citizen
> under any circumstances.  It is also legal to sell such devices, with the 
> exception of selling to non US citizens and governments.  This is the good 
> news.
> 
> The bad news is:
> 
> It is illegal to use any device as a tempest shield, including lead, 
> tesla coils or any other materials that can possibly interfere with tempest
> reception!  You need a government license to use these, and then you must have 
> reason to have such a device(this is how banks can use such things.)
> 
> I have a few tempests, one with a range of about 200 yards using aricraft
> vdo's.  If anyone wants a file discussing the legal issues of the tempest,
> please ask, and I'll forward it here.

This particular bit of garbage is so malodorous that it can't be left
unchallenged. There are no rules saying that you can't shield your computer
equipment; in fact, there are FCC rules that say that you HAVE to shield
it, though you aren't required to do as well as tempest specs, which, to
my knowledge, are not even public knowledge.

Put up or shut up, Mr. "Treason". Give us one lick of evidence that you know
what you are talking about.

Perry