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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=cover@isoc.org
href="mailto:cover@isoc.org">Wende Cover</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, September 10, 2013 6:02 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=isoc-members-announce@elists.isoc.org
href="mailto:isoc-members-announce@elists.isoc.org">isoc-members-announce@elists.isoc.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [ISOC] STATEMENT: Internet Society Responds to Reports of
the U.S. Government’s Circumvention of Encryption Technology</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal>Internet Society Responds to Reports of the U.S. Government’s
Circumvention of Encryption Technology<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The Internet Society is alarmed by continuing reports
alleging systematic United States government efforts to circumvent Internet
security mechanisms. The Internet Society President and CEO, Lynn St.
Amour, said, “If true, these reports describe government programmes that
undermine the technical foundations of the Internet and are a fundamental threat
to the Internet’s economic, innovative, and social potential. Any systematic,
state-level attack on Internet security and privacy is a rejection of the
global, collaborative fabric that has enabled the Internet's growth to extend
beyond the interests of any one country.” <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The Internet Society believes that global interoperability
and openness of the Internet are pre-requisites for confidence in online
interaction, they unlock the Internet as a forum for economic and social
progress, and they are founded on basic assumptions of trust. We are deeply
concerned that these principles are being eroded and that users' legitimate
expectations of online security are being treated with contempt.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>As the institutional home of the Internet Engineering Task
Force (IETF), we believe that open and transparent processes are essential for
security standardization, and result in better outcomes than any alternative
approach. For example, protocols developed by the IETF are open for all to
see, inspect, and verify, as are the open and inclusive processes by which they
are specified. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>IETF Chairman Jari Arkko has strongly reiterated the IETF’s
commitment to improving security in the Internet, and to seeking ways of
improving security protocols in light of these new revelations and security
threats. “The IETF has a long-standing commitment to openness and
transparency in developing security protocols for the Internet, and sees this as
critical to confidence in their use and implementation.” To read more,
visit:
http://www.ietf.org/blog/2013/09/security-and-pervasive-monitoring/.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>However, the open development of robust technical
specifications is just one link in the chain. Security standards must be
properly implemented and used. This is a wake-up call for technology developers
and adopters alike, to reexamine what we can do to ensure that all links in the
chain are equally strong. This is key to helping restore public trust and
confidence in the Internet. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The Internet has tremendous potential for economic and social
good, but unless all stakeholders trust the Internet as a safe place for
business, social interaction, academic enquiry, and self-expression, those
economic and social benefits are put at risk. To fulfill its potential, the
Internet must be underpinned by the right combination of technology, operational
processes, legislation, policy, and governance. The recent reports suggest that
U.S. Government programmes have systematically undermined some or all of those
measures, and that is why we view the revelations with such grave
concern.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>With this mind, we issue these calls to action for the global
community:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>• To every citizen of the Internet: let your government
representatives know that, even in matters of national security, you expect
privacy, rule of law, and due process in any handling of your data.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Security is a collective responsibility that involves
multiple stakeholders. In this regard, we call on:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>• Those involved in technology research and development: use
the openness of standards processes like the IETF to challenge assumptions about
security specifications. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>• Those who implement the technology and standards for
Internet security: uphold that responsibility in your work, and be mindful of
the damage caused by loss of trust.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>• Those who develop products and services that depend on a
trusted Internet: secure your own services, and be intolerant of insecurity in
the infrastructure on which you depend.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>• To every Internet user: ensure you are well informed about
good practice in online security, and act on that information. Take
responsibility for your own security.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>At the Internet Society, we remain committed to advancing
work in areas such as browser security, privacy settings, and digital footprint
awareness in order to help users understand and manage their privacy and
security. The citizens of the Internet deserve a global and open platform
for communication built on solid foundations of security and
privacy.<o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P>
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