7/15/2015

Law enforcement agencies should use FLOSS...

As Richard Stallman in this article says, that the NSA uses GNU/Linux or any other FLOSS isn't bad at all. In a way it speaks well on how good the software is, since it can be used in such critical missions.

The problem with the NSA lies somewhere else, and not directly with the technology it uses to do its work.

To begin with, the NSA shouldn't be spying on everyone in the name of safety. That's a violation of basic human rights, since we all should have a reasonable level of confidence that we aren't being spied by any government at any given point of time without a good cause.

Law enforcement agencies shouldn't be able to get any data on anyone without having to give a good reason why an individual should be a target of their investigations. It's better for all, that the bar is high in order to get a warrant to get our data.

Also, if law enforcement agencies used FLOSS we the people would have a good reason to be sure that the tools they use do what they say they do. Outside parties would be able to fully audit those tools to make sure they do the job they are devised to do. It would be harder to hide bad behavior on their part, since it would be a lot easier to catch.

In all, we need to push for all the use of FLOSS in every public office, since it would make them more transparent and easier to audit by outside parties. The people has the right to do so.

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