Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!decuac!gouldsd!mjranum
From: mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J Ranum)
Newsgroups: news.admin,news.sysadmin
Subject: woops, boy am I dum.
Message-ID: <496@gouldsd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Apr-87 11:47:25 EST
Article-I.D.: gouldsd.496
Posted: Wed Apr 22 11:47:25 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Apr-87 03:28:27 EST
Organization: Gould Electronics, Landover MD.
Lines: 45
Keywords: sources - previous assertions, justified flames, etc.
Xref: mnetor news.admin:337 news.sysadmin:136


	Re my previous assertions that E-mail was protected as if it were
*REAL* mail:
		
	I guess I wholly deep-throated my foot, there. I can't quote a 
source, and don't recall where I got the information that led me to
make that posting. What can I say ? When I made my posting, I *KNEW*
I had read it somewhere. Afterwards, I thought about it, and can't
remember where I read it. I am forced to doubt myself, finally. I
am still looking, by the way. It's like, one of those things when
you get to work on a Monday morning, and try to shoot your mouth off,
and find you forgot and left your head at home.

	Hell, I'm really sorry. Sorry I flamed when I was only half-baked.
On the other hand, if I DO manage to find my source, then I reserve
the right to crow insufferably. 

	In the meantime, while I am still suffering the slings and arrows
of foot-facedness, I'd like to mention that whether it *IS* law now,
or is not, the status of E-mail *IS* going to become a serious problem.
I suspect that the "net"s are going to become a major "USsnail" 
substitute. People already carry on more private business than is
advisable.

	On one hand, we have the people who claim: "What's on my machine 
is mine" and on the other, "What's my private business is mine". While
the first approach is frequently most convenient for sysadmins, I feel
it should be fought as much as possible. If it becomes a legal precedent,
as net/E-mail traffic becomes more and more important, it will be
easier for the (insert yours) NSA/Gov't/IRS/CIA/Commies/DrugFreeks/Lawyers
to monitor our activities. For those of you who have been keeping track
of the cellular radiophone biz, there is a big deal currently about
protection of person's cellular radio transmissions. Currently it is
illegal to monitor cellular communications. (I *CAN* get you a ref for
*THAT*!).

	Are you willing to give your right to secure communications away ?
Never mind enforceability, it would be nice to know there is a legal
recourse if someone snoops my mail, and sees something that can hurt
me.
-- 
Copyright, 1987 -  Anarchist Software Foundation - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
In reproducing this document in any form, the licensee (you) agrees to
pay the ASF  5$/copy distributed,  and to admit that software law is a
subject better left for lawyers and slimy nerds.    Live Free or die !