Sunday, December 11, 2005

Totally Secure Non-Quantum Communications? Totally Secure Non-Quantum Communications?  An anonymous reader writes  "TEES is reporting that Dr Laszlo Kish, an associate professor at Texas A&M, has proposed a 'classical, not quantum, encryption scheme that relies on classical physical properties -- current and voltage. He said his scheme is absolutely secure, fast, robust, inexpensive and maintenance-free and relies on simultaneous encrypting of information by both the sender and the receiver.' The scheme uses properties similar to Johnson noise along with Kirchoff's Law to provide what he hopes to be an easier method of secure communications. Arxiv also has the full text [PDF Warning] of the paper."  [Slashdot] 4:11:22 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

MPAA Gives Film About Ratings an NC-17 Rating. MPAA Gives Film About Ratings an NC-17 Rating.  jtcm writes  "An original documentary by Kirby Dick, called "This Film is Not Yet Rated" has been assigned an NC-17 rating by the MPAA. The film explores the MPAA's own film rating system and "its profound effect on American culture." The NC-17 rating was given due to "some graphic sexual content" and will likely limit the movie's distribution, as many theater chains will not show NC-17 movies. Among the filmmakers speaking openly in the movie are two of my personal favorites, Kevin Smith and Matt Stone. For those who are eager to view this exposé, fear not. The Independent Film Channel (IFC) will present the film uncensored and uninterrupted."  Slashdot] 4:07:05 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Omega-News: New chips called a danger to privacy Wal-Mart's plans call for more than 1,000 stores, clubs and distribution centers to use RFID microchips by the end of 2006, according to a statement from the retailer. Wal-Mart expects the next wave of 300 suppliers to start shipping tagged cases and pallets by January 2007, bringing the total to more than 600 suppliers, according to the same statement. Members of New Hampshire's CASPIAN chapter have staged protests against the RFID technology at Wal-Mart stores in Bedford and Amherst. They plan more protests in the Concord or Seacoast areas soon, according to Joel Rauch, the chapter's founder. Anything could have an RFID tag in it, he said, from clothes to appliances to books, letting retailers track spending and lifestyle habits to launch more effective marketing campaigns. Rauch said he's pleased New Hampshire is passing a law to regulate RFID chips. "You need to answer the basic question," Rauch said, "of who owns your information when you make a purchase?" 4:03:48 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

CNN.com - Law requires Italian Internet cafes to record ID - Dec 9, 2005 A new Italian law requires businesses that offer Internet access to the public, like Sohel's, to ask clients for identification and log the owner's name and the document type. Internet cafes also must make and keep a photocopy of the ID and be registered with their local police station, dictates the law, part of an anti-terror package approved after the July terrorist bombings in London. Many cafe owners say the law has increased their work load and decreased their profits. "We're selling the store, and in part this is the reason," said Dolores Cabrera, who owns Kokonet, an Internet storefront across town near the Vatican. About half Cabrera's prospective clients either don't have their passport with them or aren't willing to show it, she said. Enforcement is spotty at many cafes, however, and besides Internet cafe owners and civil libertarians, the law appears to bother only people who fear scrutiny by the authorities, such as illegal immigrants. Angela De Angelis, a 21-year-old Italian student using an Internet cafe near the Vatican, was dubious about the new law's worth. "I think it's all right if it serves to protect us, though sincerely, I can't see how it's useful," she said. Italy is the only European Union country to require Internet cafes to record ID information on clients, said Richard Nash, secretary general of EuroISPA, which represents Internet providers in Europe. Non-member Switzerland, however, does requires people who go online at Internet cafes to show IDs, according to Robin Gross, of the U.S. civil liberties group IP Justice. Several Asian countries and cities, most prominently China and including the Indian technology hub of Bangalore, require registration at cafes. But the leaders of some of those nations tend to be thinking at least as much about inhibiting speech as preventing terror attacks in making the requirement. In Vietnam, Internet cafes also are required to block access to Web sites deemed subversive and pornographic. 3:58:40 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Law Requires Italian Web Cafes to Record ID. Law Requires Italian Web Cafes to Record ID. Armadni General writes "CNN is reporting that a new Italian law requires that all businesses offering public internet access, such as web cafes, to identify and record all customers. While supporters of this law trumpet its anti-terrorism potential, still others see no such advantage and bemoan this invasion of personal privacy. 'They must be able, if necessary, to track the sites visited by their clients. [...] Contents of people's e-mail is, however, supposed to remain private and can only be made available to law enforcement through a court order. Italy also obliges telecommunications companies to keep traffic data and European ministers agreed last week to require the carriers to retain records of calls and e-mails for a maximum of two years. The European Parliament's two largest groups endorsed the data retention initiative on Wednesday despite complaints from privacy advocates and telecoms, and the full body is expected to adopt a bill next week.'" [Slashdot: Your Rights Online] 3:56:01 PM  PermaLink   / trackback []