[Noisebridge-discuss] Deep Crack

Jacob Appelbaum jacob at appelbaum.net
Thu Oct 8 07:13:59 UTC 2009


Mikael Vejdemo-Johansson wrote:
>> On Oct 7, 2009, at 11:56 PM, Jacob Appelbaum wrote:
>> That was the first posting in months but not the first discussion of the
>> device in the space. I have emailed the EFF. I will respect and relay
>> their answer to the group.
> 
> 
> I've been back in the Bay area for just under 2 weeks. :-D
> This is the first I myself have heard about it.
> 

I am referring to a meeting at 83C some time ago.

>>>
>>> And some of us are US non-citizens, as well as aware of the extent to
>>> which INS/DHS/Border control/DoD/whoever can be fickly and unreasonable.
>>>
> 
>> It seems like a reasonable fear but also it seems like fear. Have you
>> investigated all of the software and hardware at Noisebridge that
>> performs cryptographic operations?
> 
> 
> It's the UD in FUD I don't enjoy. It is indeed fear, which is why I am
> calling for consultation, not a blanket unreasonable opposition.
> 

Ok.

>>> Let me be clear, again, to at least remove myself from the FUD
>>> accusations that have been issued:
>>> * I think it's a cool thing.
> 
>> Thank you.
> 
>>> * I do worry when I run into things that say 'US citizen only'.
> 
>> I'm sorry. I really don't want to say that, I expressed it as a possible
>> concern. It is likely only that you would not be able to do a key search
>> or export it. Alternatively, you can volunteer to be a test case if you
>> really dislike ITAR. :-)
> 
> 
> Ah, okay. This was taken from Sai's meeting notes.
> 
> I do NOT want to be a testcase - I value my mathematics way too highly
> to drive politics at personal risk. Not that I don't dislike ITAR or
> think it's both idiotic and ineffective as written...
> 

I didn't think you actually wanted to be a test case. I merely suggest
that the issue lies with the State and not with me.

>>> * I will be perfectly happy once Jake, as he has told us he will do,
>>> clarifies what we need to do to alleviate these worries. If this turns
>>> out - which wouldn't surprise me - to be "Don't use the machine if
>>> you're alien", then that settles it completely in my mind.
>>>
> 
>> Thank you Mikael. I'm sorry that this is such a hassle and that my
>> government is totally unreasonable.
> 
> 
> Once we KNOW the government is stupid and unreasonable, we can at least
> try not to wave red flags at them in front of china cabinets. :-)
> Which, really, is all I'm trying to ask for here. And feel that I'm
> getting the right kinds of responses to.
> 

Ok.

>> To give a sense of scale, a reasonable sized cluster of Play Stations is
>> more powerful than Deep Crack!
> 
> 
> I am well aware of that. Also, after one of my adventures in form
> filling at Stanford, I've counted myself lucky to not have taught linear
> algebra yet: I'd probably include field extensions in an interesting
> enough course, which would give me a reason to discuss AES - - and I
> might even talk modular arithmetic - and RSA.
> 
> And a crypto implementation done on campus - such as an example
> implementation done for in-class demonstration - falls under separate
> and MUCH stricted export rules; which means that taking my laptop with
> my lecture preparations to Europe with me might be ITAR degrees of
> dangerous... :-(
> 
> And this from how Stanford describes my duties as an employee filling
> out import/export forms (which I have to do to take my personal,
> Stanford-paid laptop across the border...)

Man, I am glad that I'm a citizen. But also sorta ashamed at the same
time. What a nightmare. :-(

Best,
Jake

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 155 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
URL: <http://lists.noisebridge.net/pipermail/noisebridge-discuss/attachments/20091008/9b6cf4c5/attachment-0003.sig>


More information about the Noisebridge-discuss mailing list