Last month, both WhatsApp and Viber made end-to-end encryption the default for their mass amount of users. Unlike WhatsApp, Viber is not a US based company, so it will not be subject to US laws. More than anything, Viber is the first example of the futility of legislation encryption.
Fifteen months ago Viber began working on its end-to-end encryption for information being passed from person to person, regardless of platform. This is huge step for privacy and security, because even the admins of the company are unable to see the data being passed between users. Obviously, Viber's users won't have the total encryption until the next update, and even then not every user will actually upgrade their application, but it is a step in the right direction.
Viber's bold move emerged just after Apple's security fight with the FBI and the tech world has begun adopting encryption at a faster rate than ever before. A large factor that has encouraged these encryption trends is the sheer popularity of messaging applications in our day to day lives. Shimlov says, "It's not necessarily a marketing feature, we did it because it's a standard we need to meet. Users share a lot private data between them, and we want to make sure it's secure."
More and more resources and political power are being tossed at encryption right now and any legislation could have crippling repercussions for companies like Apple, but nothing for Viber. Ultimately, Viber's adoption of end-to-end encryption proves that secure encryption on a large scale is possible, and legislation is not.
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/viber-encrytpion/
How is this related to Ed Snowden?
Snowden fled the US after leaking media details on the US government monitoring internet and phone records on a global scale. To be more specific, Snowden leaked information on the US hacking Chinese networks, bugging EU offices, monitoring the phones of world leaders, spying on Latin America, and collecting and storing SMS messages across the globe. Just three years after the media leak from Snowden, companies like Viber and WhatsApp are taking steps in making sure their user are secure from any external threat.
Opinion:
These notions really leave a bad taste in your mouth about how "trustworthy" the US government really is. In the article mentioned above, WhatsApp and Viber, two widely popular messaging apps, have begun the new trend in protecting their users from government monitoring. This directly relates to Snowden's whistleblowing scandal because as technology becomes more immersed in our daily lives and society is more aware of how powerful the government truly is, users need a guarantee that their private data is protected.
My question is how long will it take for more tech companies, foreign and domestic, to adopt the end-to-end encryption, which ensures enhanced security of their users private information?
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Tech Musing #3 FBI discloses iOS security flaw, but not the one used to crack the San Bernardino iPhone
When Apple refused to hack the iPhone 5c of the San Bernardino
mass Shooter, the FBI decided to ask someone else. This third-party hacker was
able to successfully get what the FBI wanted, which did not make Apple very
happy. Now Apple wants to know how this third-party hacker accomplished it. It
was no surprise that the FBI won’t tell Apple how it was accomplished. They did
decide to share another security flaw that was found, but Apple had already
found and addressed this problem. This flaw only relates to older iPhones and
Macs that are not using the newest versions of iOS and OS X.
The FBI says that they can’t share how the phone was hacked
because they apparently don’t know how it was done. So they decided to share
the flaw of the older software to show people that they do share
vulnerabilities with tech companies so that those flaws can’t be exploited.
My view on this situation is that the FBI does know how the phone
was hacked and just don’t want to share the vulnerability in case they have
another situation like this. This phone was a key piece of evidence in the
case, that is why they wanted it open so badly. They would not have handed it
over to someone without being informed exactly how it would be done. They probably
also had someone watching over the process so that no data was deleted,
destroyed, or altered.
If they really have no idea how it was done why wouldn’t
they let Apple know who the third-party was so they can discuss how it was done
with them. Apple not knowing how it was done leaves all users vulnerable, this
would include Apple users it the FBI.
What can be learned from this is that users need to always
stay up-to-date with software updates. The vulnerability in the older software
was found but not fixed. If you are using an older version of the software, you
still have a vulnerable phone.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Tech Musing 3: Thoughts On Edward Snowden and Privacy
Edward Snowden is a former employee of the National
Security Agency contractor. He is known for whistleblowing. His disclosure revealed numerous global surveillance program from NSA. According to Snowden, the United States
government has secretly monitors not only people in other countries but also U.S. citizens. The government is capable of accessing
people’s phone records and can crack people’s email passwords in order to monitor information.
On February 26, an Chinese student was denied to reentry to the U.S. due to an incriminating message on her mobile phone. The US customs found a message in the student's WeChat app, a popular instant messaging platform, in which she told one of her friends "I don't really want to go to school, I just need a temporary [student] identity." The U.S. customs officials found the evidence from mobile phone to prove their suspicion of immigrant intent and deported the student immediately.
However, some information might not mentioned in the report. I read some different information from news and social media in China. The deported student claimed that she was pretty sure that evidence of immigrant intent had been deleted long ago from her cell phone, so she had no idea how customs find the message. The conversation that customs found happened more than half a year ago and is in Chinese. Even if the evidence was still in the phone, how customs knew where to find it among so much conversation records of six months, let alone how customs officials can translate Chinese message. So this early ready evidence may indicates that global surveillance program is much more than terrorism and homeland security.
In my opinion, government does need to take some actions to protect its own people, but privacy also needs to be respected. It is hard to find a balance and I am not happy to be monitored.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/971526.shtml
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Thoughts on Snowden and Related Article
After watching the compelling documentary, “Citizen Four” I learned many things about the NSA and government surveillance that was made prevalent from Edward Snowden’s claims against the NSA. He was a contracted employee hired by the NSA which gave him a level of clearance that over saw all the privacy operations at the NSA. In 2013, after seeing too much corruption and lies, Snowden reveled essential documentation of the NSA to the press. He gave the press the right to release what they thought the public should see. After this “act of treason” Snowden fled the country and continues to be an international felon on the run.
There are two aspects to the debate on whether Snowden is a hero or a traitor and I would concur that both sides have truths to them. The documentation from the NSA was the truth and since we see government officials denying such actions of surveillance and breach of privacy, this adds strengths toward Snowden’s points. Being able to trust your government is a crucial factor to society and Snowden revealed a flaw toward this trust. On the other side of the spectrum we see Snowden as a traitor who leaked government information to non-US allies making him seam as if he was a terrorist. The government should be able to monitor its citizens in a way to keep them safe, but without knowing the truth of how much they abuse this power, can we as a society understand the the truth? Both arguments have truth, but I believe Snowden brought awareness to the people about the truth behind the power of technology and how much power the government has with this type of technology. This will increase awareness of Internet privacy and will help the people better understand the surveillance the government has on its citizens. The average person like myself would not be worried that the government can view content, but the whole thought of that level of surveillance creeps me out.
After reading a current article on a tech blog about what Snowden is up to currently, he is getting praised for promoting freedom of speech. This movement is a very interesting topic with all of the press covering government regulation and Internet privacy. Currently the Norwegian chapter of writer’s rights organization PEN International is suing its own government so that Snowden can receive the prestigious Ossietzky Prize in person and not be extradited to the United States. Technically since he is an international criminal the government can’t comply with this arrangement, and will fight the lawsuit. I am interested to see if Snowden will be able to receive this award in person or if it will have to be over video chat like he did with the Bjørnson prize in 2015.
Article: http://techcrunch.com/2016/04/21/norwegian-pen-chapter-sues-its-country-to-ensure-snowden-can-receive-ossietzky-award-in-person/
There are two aspects to the debate on whether Snowden is a hero or a traitor and I would concur that both sides have truths to them. The documentation from the NSA was the truth and since we see government officials denying such actions of surveillance and breach of privacy, this adds strengths toward Snowden’s points. Being able to trust your government is a crucial factor to society and Snowden revealed a flaw toward this trust. On the other side of the spectrum we see Snowden as a traitor who leaked government information to non-US allies making him seam as if he was a terrorist. The government should be able to monitor its citizens in a way to keep them safe, but without knowing the truth of how much they abuse this power, can we as a society understand the the truth? Both arguments have truth, but I believe Snowden brought awareness to the people about the truth behind the power of technology and how much power the government has with this type of technology. This will increase awareness of Internet privacy and will help the people better understand the surveillance the government has on its citizens. The average person like myself would not be worried that the government can view content, but the whole thought of that level of surveillance creeps me out.
After reading a current article on a tech blog about what Snowden is up to currently, he is getting praised for promoting freedom of speech. This movement is a very interesting topic with all of the press covering government regulation and Internet privacy. Currently the Norwegian chapter of writer’s rights organization PEN International is suing its own government so that Snowden can receive the prestigious Ossietzky Prize in person and not be extradited to the United States. Technically since he is an international criminal the government can’t comply with this arrangement, and will fight the lawsuit. I am interested to see if Snowden will be able to receive this award in person or if it will have to be over video chat like he did with the Bjørnson prize in 2015.
Article: http://techcrunch.com/2016/04/21/norwegian-pen-chapter-sues-its-country-to-ensure-snowden-can-receive-ossietzky-award-in-person/
Tech Musing #3 : Thoughts of Government Surveillance and Edward Snowden.
As an international students, I don’t know how American’s feel about what Edward Snowden has done and the U.S. surveillance program. He did what he think he should do, but I don’t really agree with him. Maybe many people think Snowden is a hero, but people don’t really know the government is monitoring them? I don’t think so. When he actually reveal it, it might help some people know more details about what government is doing, but I have to say what he did also led to crisis of confidence between U.S. government and citizen. In addition, it resulted in the worsen relationship with other countries because the surveillance program is not only about U.S. citizens.
I have to say that I was not surprised to know that the U.S. government is monitoring people’s lives and I think governments of other countries are doing the same thing. People care about their privacy, and so do I. There are a lot of things that people may hide from others, just like I don’t want strangers on Facebook to see my posts and photos. On the one hand, I believe the reason that most people hide information from others is that they know the importance of information security, and they know that people with ability may use their information to do illegal things. On the other hand, I understand that the one of the purposes of surveillance program is to discover suspicious communication and information to protect people from terrorist and other dangerous people. People want privacy and protection, but it's hard to have it both ways.
The following link is a ted talk video. It is not new, but it provided some information about how the surveillance program works as well as some example of others' countries.
Government Surveillance - This is Just the Begining
I have to say that I was not surprised to know that the U.S. government is monitoring people’s lives and I think governments of other countries are doing the same thing. People care about their privacy, and so do I. There are a lot of things that people may hide from others, just like I don’t want strangers on Facebook to see my posts and photos. On the one hand, I believe the reason that most people hide information from others is that they know the importance of information security, and they know that people with ability may use their information to do illegal things. On the other hand, I understand that the one of the purposes of surveillance program is to discover suspicious communication and information to protect people from terrorist and other dangerous people. People want privacy and protection, but it's hard to have it both ways.
The following link is a ted talk video. It is not new, but it provided some information about how the surveillance program works as well as some example of others' countries.
Government Surveillance - This is Just the Begining
Friday, April 22, 2016
Tech Musing 3: Thoughts On Edward Snowden and Privacy
Edward Snowden was a government contractor leaked 10,000 classified U.S. documents to the world. A mass surveillance program from the National Security Administration gathers information on citizens via phone tracking and tapping undersea Internet cables. I think when people act against the NSA surveillance in another way is hurting the country. It has been three years since then, Snowden is still an important part at fields of personal privacy, public security, and online right.
According to a recent interview with Snowden, he said there have been a lot of changes that have happened over these three years, and not just on the Internet. It has changed our culture, laws, the way our courts decide issues and the way people consider what the Internet, their communication security means to them. I believe even if people do not use the internet, do not have smart phones, laptop or phone lines, most of their personal information is still going to be handled by tax authorities, health providers or hospitals; So it is not just people’s smart phones that was being monitored carries too much of personal privacy, actually all of this information is always routed over the Internet. As I also understand people are not happy that police and the government then have the authority to search through your entire life through your phone and internet. So one of the most measurable changes in the past three years is to guarantee personal privacy rights through encryption and it is pretty effective. The FBI failed to crack an Apple device recently was a good example of that.
I think because of the context of terrorism threat that was heavily promoted by two successive administrations after all the bad things happened in the 9/11 era, there was an idea made the government have to go to the dark side to be able to confront the threat posed by bad guys. I think this method is what we have to adopt under most cases.
http://www.popsci.com/edward-snowden-internet-is-broken
According to a recent interview with Snowden, he said there have been a lot of changes that have happened over these three years, and not just on the Internet. It has changed our culture, laws, the way our courts decide issues and the way people consider what the Internet, their communication security means to them. I believe even if people do not use the internet, do not have smart phones, laptop or phone lines, most of their personal information is still going to be handled by tax authorities, health providers or hospitals; So it is not just people’s smart phones that was being monitored carries too much of personal privacy, actually all of this information is always routed over the Internet. As I also understand people are not happy that police and the government then have the authority to search through your entire life through your phone and internet. So one of the most measurable changes in the past three years is to guarantee personal privacy rights through encryption and it is pretty effective. The FBI failed to crack an Apple device recently was a good example of that.
I think because of the context of terrorism threat that was heavily promoted by two successive administrations after all the bad things happened in the 9/11 era, there was an idea made the government have to go to the dark side to be able to confront the threat posed by bad guys. I think this method is what we have to adopt under most cases.
http://www.popsci.com/edward-snowden-internet-is-broken
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Tech Musing 3: The whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations
Edward Snowden is the individual responsible for the biggest leaks in US political history. He was an employee of the defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden is responsible for handing over information from NSA, which is one of the world’s most secretive organizations. He believes that his disclosure of what the US government is doing in installing massive surveillance machine is something the public should know and discuss, and he is not apologetic or ashamed about that. Snowden made his declarations while in Hong Kong, which is a city that promotes freedom of political speech. However, he is scared that the Chinese government might whisk him away for questioning, or the US could catch up with him, which is why he moved to Russia.
Regardless, he still does not regret what he did as he believes the US government is doing more harm than good to the world and its people. He also believes that every document he leaked is in the public interest and people should concentrate on that other than him. The information that Edward Snowden gave is critical to the United States citizens because massive surveillance programs damage the US economy as it shakes consumer confidence, which leads to US trade partners distancing themselves from companies that have a probability of being compromised by the NSA. Therefore, NSA surveillance leads to some companies losing their competitive edge, yet they are mainstream economic drivers. The US citizens need to work against this.
Lastly, I hold the opinion that Edward Snowden did what he see as the right thing for the US citizens to be aware of and act upon, and it is high time they act against NSA surveillance as it is hurting the economy. NSA surveillance is very crucial to the American economy in order to shape the future of this nation in terms of privacy, business, and communication.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance
Regardless, he still does not regret what he did as he believes the US government is doing more harm than good to the world and its people. He also believes that every document he leaked is in the public interest and people should concentrate on that other than him. The information that Edward Snowden gave is critical to the United States citizens because massive surveillance programs damage the US economy as it shakes consumer confidence, which leads to US trade partners distancing themselves from companies that have a probability of being compromised by the NSA. Therefore, NSA surveillance leads to some companies losing their competitive edge, yet they are mainstream economic drivers. The US citizens need to work against this.
Lastly, I hold the opinion that Edward Snowden did what he see as the right thing for the US citizens to be aware of and act upon, and it is high time they act against NSA surveillance as it is hurting the economy. NSA surveillance is very crucial to the American economy in order to shape the future of this nation in terms of privacy, business, and communication.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance
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