lauren@vortex.com
Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2018 16:53:53 -0700
NNSquad http://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2018/8/229771-traceability/fulltext
"This suggests to me that the notion of traceability under
(internationally?) agreed circumstances (that is, differential
traceability) might be a fruitful concept to explore. In most societies
today, it is accepted that we must be identifiable to appropriate
authorities under certain conditions (consider border crossings, traffic
violation stops as examples). While there are conditions under which
apparent anonymity is desirable and even justifiable (whistle-blowing, for
example) absolute anonymity is actually quite difficult to achieve
(another point made at the Ditchley workshop) and might not be absolutely
desirable given the misbehaviors apparent anonymity invites. I expect this
is a controversial conclusion and I look forward to subsequent
discussion." Vint Cerf
While I have frequently called for greater accountability in key aspects of
Internet operations (in particular, public access to WHOIS domain data
except in limited circumstances), I fear that in the general case Vint's
Traceability proposal would mostly gladden the hearts of bad governmental
players in countries such as China, Russia, and even here in the USA. It
basically amounts to an escrowed identity system, a concept that has been
widely and appropriately criticized in the encryption arena. Given that a
significant degree of anonymity is crucial for human rights advocates and
others who live in areas of the world that are routinely under government
oppression, I do not see obvious ways that Vint's proposal could be
implemented without innocent parties being even more at the mercy of
oppressive governments than they are today.