Open source internet browsers linked to illegal anonymous behaviour - Politician

Manach · 15-01-2014 01:33AM #1

"Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O' Donovan has called for tougher controls on the use of open source internet browsers and payment systems which allow users to remain anonymous in the illegal trade of drugs, weapons and pornography. Deputy O’Donovan has written to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, of which he is a member, asking it to investigate the matter." - link.

This was reported on the tech news site Slashdot. Some of the poster comments are interesting.

catallus · 15-01-2014 01:36AM

He's right! Close the internet!

Bipolar Joe · 15-01-2014 01:43AM

Yeah, down with open source browsers! Like Firefox, I guess.

tommyboy2222 · 15-01-2014 01:45AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YozC8yFrZKI

minidazzler · 15-01-2014 01:46AM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

Yeah, down with open source browsers! Like Firefox, I guess.

presumably he does actually mean firefox, but specifically the version of firefox that tor is bundled with.

Sir Arthur Daley · 15-01-2014 01:47AM

catallus wrote: »

He's right! Close the internet!

Switch it off after 9 o clock news. :rolleyes:

partyatmygaff · 15-01-2014 01:49AM

Unsurprising from a man who doesn't seem to have even half a clue what open-source means. The Oireachtas Communications Committee would do well to understand modern technology and communication first before making rash, reactionary decisions on technologies they've no experience of.

syklops · 15-01-2014 01:52AM

minidazzler wrote: »

presumably he does actually mean firefox, but specifically the version of firefox that tor is bundled with.

Not the version of firefox that allows integration with tor?(as in all of them).

Usually I like Fine Gael, but I really cringe when they say anything related to technology because it is always so far wide of the mark. Not that there is any party that have their finger on the pulse tech-wise.

Why does he focus on Open Source? You can go onto craigslist with internet Explorer and trade drugs, porn and weapons.

shruikan2553 · 15-01-2014 01:56AM

You can normally ignore anything an irish politician says about technology. Ask them to actually explain what open source means and they'll probably say its free.

Karl Stein · 15-01-2014 01:57AM

Dope.

catallus · 15-01-2014 01:59AM

In fairness to the guy he is most probably just mouthing off on this issue for it to gain some traction before it comes before a house committee. It is just the usual political horse-play that goes on, much the same as the wind-turbine/water-meter thievery/pylons and whateveryou'rehavingyourself. Not to be taken seriously by anybody who might have an informed opinion on the thing because such an opinion is going to have very little effect on what is going to happen in any case.

K-9 · 15-01-2014 02:00AM

minidazzler wrote: »

presumably he does actually mean firefox, but specifically the version of firefox that tor is bundled with.

Don't be getting all technical with stuff like facts for politicians and internet stuff. Sure aren't people downing Chrome, singing Opera, chatting to pidgins and setting fire to foxes. Time was a Gimp was something by Tarrantino in Pulp Fiction, now you can get one on yout computer. God be with the days Playboy was banned.

syklops · 15-01-2014 02:01AM

shruikan2553 wrote: »

You can normally ignore anything an irish politician says about technology. Ask them to actually explain what open source means and they'll probably say its free.

Its what hackers create in dingy basements and garages. Which is somewhat true, though in ireland we don't really have basements, or garages which are comfortable to code in in months May to September.

This is probably the result of a Micosoft/Oracle/Intel funded lobby group who didnt get the memo 5 years ago that Open Source is ok.

AirBiscuit · 15-01-2014 02:01AM

Too bad Google Chrome is derived from an Open-source browser (chromium)

Opera master race!

syklops · 15-01-2014 02:07AM

catallus wrote: »

In fairness to the guy he is most probably just mouthing off on this issue for it to gain some traction before it comes before a house committee. It is just the usual political horse-play that goes on, much the same as the wind-turbine/water-meter thievery/pylons and whateveryou'rehavingyourself. Not to be taken seriously by anybody who might have an informed opinion on the thing because such an opinion is going to have very little effect on what is going to happen in any case.

Before? He has written to the Oireachtas for more attention to be paid to it. I don't know what they will do with it. Probably commission a report written by over the hill former headmasters, who after 18 months of research will conclude that Usenet should be banned.

Although I don't deny that this could be a journo who has gotten it arse-ways.

How is it, that we have been living in the information age for nearly 20 years, that it is so easy to believe, in fact, assumed, that journalists and politicians have no earthly clue what they are talking about?

Jimoslimos · 15-01-2014 02:11AM

And people wonder why we get so many Indian call centre scammers.

catallus · 15-01-2014 02:12AM

The vast majority of people in the world would have little idea about what issues such as these are about. It is just a politician talking; not something to get worried about; the civil-servants will pass it along to the tech-boys and they hopefully will know what's what.

MonaPizza · 15-01-2014 02:15AM

syklops wrote: »

Not the version of firefox that allows integration with tor?(as in all of them).

Usually I like Fine Gael, but I really cringe when they say anything related to technology because it is always so far wide of the mark. Not that there is any party that have their finger on the pulse tech-wise.

Why does he focus on Open Source? You can go onto craigslist with internet Explorer and trade drugs, porn and weapons.

Not only that but you can go to an internet cafe, log on with IE, create any number of accounts then surf dodgy sites to your heart's content, make various threats online etc and then log off and leave. Who's going to know who you are / were?

sheesh · 15-01-2014 02:19AM

I still think I will write a an email to him to express my frustration. everyone should.

hinault · 15-01-2014 02:20AM

MonaPizza wrote: »

Not only that but you can go to an internet cafe, log on with IE, create any number of accounts then surf dodgy sites to your heart's content, make various threats online etc and then log off and leave. Who's going to know who you are / were?

Better hope that the intercafe CCTV isn't working

MonaPizza · 15-01-2014 02:24AM

hinault wrote: »

Better hope that the intercafe CCTV isn't working

baseball cap, shades and fake beard.
Chung Lee behind the counter ain't gonna give a fcuk. He's too busy mass producing DVD's of movies to care.

just_be_nice · 15-01-2014 02:52AM

Pockets too; I know people who use their pockets to conceal drugs and illicit payments. We need tighter control on pockets.

nagilum2 · 15-01-2014 02:57AM

This has now reached the front page of HackerNews. Yay Ireland! :rolleyes:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7060238

BBJBIG · 15-01-2014 02:59AM

And just how do you control the Deep Web ?
Which is vast, anonymous and stuff is paid for in Bitcoin.
Short of shutting down d'Internet.

Bye, Bye Google - Amazon - Apple - Facebook etc.

http://www.sickchirpse.com/deep-web-guide/

They can't get anything right - household charges, water charges, Bank Regulation,
Building Regulation, Bankers, Bondholders ... and, the list goes on.
You couldn't make this stuff up !

Anudder Oirish politicshun spaking Gnomish thru his hole !

toyotaavensis · 15-01-2014 03:11AM

I have to say well done to the people of Limerick for electing this clown.

Bipolar Joe · 15-01-2014 03:34AM

toyotaavensis wrote: »

I have to say well done to the people of Limerick for electing this clown.

I agree. Every other county manages to elect someone totally competent literally all the time!

J_E · 15-01-2014 07:37AM

Politicians usually just don't get current technology...Ireland looks stupid to the rest of the world as a consequence

moxin · 15-01-2014 07:41AM

sheesh wrote: »

I still think I will write a an email to him to express my frustration. everyone should.

Pointless, send by pigeon instead as the clown probably doesn't know what email is.

gctest50 · 15-01-2014 08:01AM

Way to go to discourage techy companies considering coming here - releasing a statement like that without even getting it checked over

Deputy O’Donovan has written to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, of which he is a member, asking it to investigate the matter.

Gomer Pyle · 15-01-2014 08:55AM

I think, himself and Seamus "we have a lot of clouds" Tiernan, are just so far ahead of the rest of us we just don't see their genius

Eight Ball · 15-01-2014 08:59AM

BBJBIG wrote: »

And just how do you control the Deep Web ?
Which is vast, anonymous and stuff is paid for in Bitcoin.
Short of shutting down d'Internet.

Bye, Bye Google - Amazon - Apple - Facebook etc.

http://www.sickchirpse.com/deep-web-guide/

They can't get anything right - household charges, water charges, Bank Regulation,
Building Regulation, Bankers, Bondholders ... and, the list goes on.
You couldn't make this stuff up !

Anudder Oirish politicshun spaking Gnomish thru his hole !

The Irish electorate voted for them, suck it up.

Open source internet browsers linked to illegal anonymous behaviour - Politician

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