Bruce - Re: "I find it ironic that you would identify with the only person in the world that agrees with INTEL about the ID chip"
You are a goof - lots of people agree with Intel.
Here's another one:
upside.com
In Defense of Intel
January 26, 1999
I don't want personal privacy to become an endangered species. Yet I'm afraid I have
to differ from fellow cyberlibertarians who are alarmed about Intel's decision to
embed an electronic serial number in the upcoming Pentium III.
The chips, which Intel expects to be put in mainstream computers later this year,
contain unique ID numbers that will make it possible for the computer to identify itself
to software applications and Web sites.
It's easy to see why privacy advocates are concerned. With this feature turned on,
Web surfers could leave fingerprints everywhere they go. Web sites can collect this
information to see who its visitors are, and government agencies could use the serial
numbers for all sorts of nefarious purposes.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has called for a boycott of Intel
and has posted a parody version of the famous "Intel Inside" sticker with the words
"Big Brother Inside." I usually find myself siding with EPIC, but on this issue I think
Intel could be taking the high road by providing for increased accountability and
security, without necessarily jeopardizing privacy.
Of course, I can think of lots of reasons why it's good to be able to surf the Web
anonymously. People want to be free to explore controversial sites and delve into
topics that could cause embarrassment, economic hardship or strains in personal
relationships if their identities were revealed. I believe that Web surfers should have
this liberty, which is one reason I testified last week at the ACLU v. Reno trial.
But as much as I value anonymity, I also value voluntary accountability. There are
situations where personal or financial security can only be assured if all parties are
clearly identified.
Having the option of positive identification of all parties, in a way, increases privacy by
assuring chat participants that everyone in the room is who they say they are. I'm not
suggesting that most chat rooms should require positive identification. Anonymity is
sometimes a very good thing. But I think it's an option that ought to be available for
parents who want to be sure that their kids are in a safe chat room, or for adults who
are more comfortable knowing the identities of their fellow chatters. Sometimes you
want to be able to establish a confidential discussion between known participants.
In Defense of Intel
page 2: ... Or Important Step
Identity verification is also an important business tool. Web sites that provide general
information would be making a mistake to require positive identification. But an
embedded serial number could be a useful tool for determining who can get into areas
with proprietary information or to positively identify someone during a financial
transaction. Banks and financial institutions already issue passwords to ensure that
only the appropriate parties have access to customer accounts, but it's not a bad idea
to have the option of an additional level of security. Frankly, I wouldn't mind getting a
report on the CPUs that I've used to access my banking records, just as I can now
get information on what ATM machines I've used to withdraw cash or check
balances. If I ever have to question a transaction, it would be nice to know exactly
where it came from.
That said, an ironclad control mechanism is key to making this chip both useful and
acceptable. Computer users must have the option of turning off the ID in the same
way telephone users can block caller ID.
Intel, in response to widespread concern, has changed the default status of the chip.
Previously it was designed to be in the "on" position, but on Monday Intel announced
that, by default, the chip will not transmit the serial number unless the user turns on that
function. If a user wishes to have the serial number transmitted, he or she will have to
run a utility program to turn it on and, as an added precaution, reboot the machine.
According to Intel spokesperson Howard High, that will prevent Web sites from
surreptitiously sucking up ID numbers.
Site operators who want significant traffic will have an incentive not to arbitrarily and
unnecessarily require IDs, just as they now have an incentive to refrain from
unnecessarily requiring visitors to register. Those that need a positive ID for secure
transactions can require it, and the user can make the decision whether or not to let
the CPU pass on the information.
A built-in serial number can also be used as a weapon against spam. I'm opposed to
bills that severely restrict commercial e-mail, but I'm all for legislation and technology
that prohibit commercial mailers from forging headers and faking their identities. I have
no qualms about someone sending me anonymous mail, as long as I know it's
anonymous. But being anonymous is different from claiming to be someone else.
Future e-mail programs could give the sender the option of including embedded serial
numbers, and the recipient the option of filtering mail based on the sender's serial
number.
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Larry Magid is a syndicated computer columnist for the Los Angeles
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