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Open source internet browsers linked to illegal anonymous behaviour - Politician

Manach

"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.

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gandalf

For a country that sees itself as the Silicon Valley of Europe we have an awful lot of IT illiterates representing us in Government. Maybe Patrick should should educate himself about the topics he is commenting on before commenting on them. Then again if you are unfortunate enough to check his website out it consists of nothing but regurgitated press releases with the headlines changed to include "Patrick O’Donovan welcomes" or other such vacuous tags.

As someone already said for a country thats trying to attract Techy FDI some of our politicians are not very clued in and certainly are not saying the right things to attract these companies.

AtomicHorror

I predict there will be, a measured, carefully thought-out response to the issues of drugs, weapons and pornography, most particularly as they pertain to the internet. Experts will be consulted and listened to with an open mind. Lobbyists will be heard with some scepticism, with their motives and qualifications taken into consideration. The vested interests of our elected decision makers will take a back seat to rationality.

In short, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

Knasher

Botulism wrote: »

Too bad Google Chrome is derived from an Open-source browser (chromium)
Opera master race!

Unfortunately opera have decided to move to Googles branch of webkit, which is the open source rendering engine that also powers Apples safari browser.
Firefox is also obviously disqualified.

So the only browser he approves of is internet explorer.

Of course as soon as he realizes that you can proxy internet explorer in the exact same way that you can proxy open source browsers, he will probably decide that needs to get investigated too.

sheesh

moxin wrote: »

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

yes but lets go with the process and see if he replies. like most people he probably uses the internet a lot and has no idea of how it works. he is young enough to know better but doesn't he is not some old fogey who never got round to learning about computers.

AirBiscuit

Knasher wrote: »

Unfortunately opera have decided to move to Googles branch of webkit, which is the open source rendering engine that also powers Apples safari browser.
Firefox is also obviously disqualified.

So the only browser he approves of is internet explorer.

Of course as soon as he realizes that you can proxy internet explorer in the exact same way that you can proxy open source browsers, he will probably decide that needs to get investigated too.

Not the version I'm using.

dgt

Does he expect us all to use internet explorer or netscape communicator? Sure feck it, broadband and the likes are the middleman to the devil, lets make joe soap use bog standard acoustic coupler modems.

Remember, speed kills and the internet is no exception....

Twats :rolleyes:

UCDVet

This stuff is *literally* like passing a law that says PI shouldn't be 3.14159.....or that 7 shouldn't be a prime number.

Stupid politicians....

Khannie

When I read stuff like this I'm embarrassed for them tbh. *cringe*

Bog Standard User

minidazzler wrote: »

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

he must be using mozzarella firefox

Phoebas

Manach wrote: »

"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.

The link to the FG website isn't working (taken down in embarrassment maybe), so all I have to go on is an excerpt from Slashdot.

An online black market is operating which protects the users’ anonymity and operates across borders through the use of open source internet browsers and payments systems which allow users to remain anonymous. This effectively operates as an online supermarket for illegal goods such as drugs, weapons and pornography, where it is extremely difficult to trace the identity of the buyers. We need a national and international response to clamp down on this illicit trade

His terminology is wrong, but presumably he's on about TOR and the likes of BTC and Silk Road.

It seems to me like a legitimate thing to be raising to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, even if he hasn't much of an understanding of the technology or of the issues it raises himself.

UCDVet

Phoebas wrote: »

The link to the FG website isn't working (taken down in embarrassment maybe), so all I have to go on is an excerpt from Slashdot.

His terminology is wrong, but presumably he's on about TOR and the likes of BTC and Silk Road.

It seems to me like a legitimate thing to be raising to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, even if he hasn't much of an understanding of the technology or of the issues it raises himself.

Yeah - but TOR and BTC both work the same way - using maths to facilitate encryption.

There is no way legislation will ever be effective.

syklops

Phoebas wrote: »

The link to the FG website isn't working (taken down in embarrassment maybe), so all I have to go on is an excerpt from Slashdot.

You can find it here. The reason the link doesn't work is it was originally in the 2013 archive and they moved it.

His terminology is wrong, but presumably he's on about TOR and the likes of BTC and Silk Road.

It seems to me like a legitimate thing to be raising to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, even if he hasn't much of an understanding of the technology or of the issues it raises himself.

Not having much of an understanding of technical terminology is one thing. But using completly the wrong terminology to address the Oireachtas Communications Committee, is irresponsible. By all means draw attention to the perceived problem, while admitting you don't understand the ins and outs, but to make that statement that had so much wrong in it is just embarrassing.

Lenin Skynard

Cydoniac wrote: »

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

That just sums up Irish politicians and the internet for me. I never fail to get a belly laugh out of that especially around 00:13 when she says "Fraping! Where you're raped on Facebook!"

You couldn't make it up.

darkpagandeath

partyatmygaff wrote: »

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.

They would not be using some form of Linux to run some of the government servers :P you know open source is bad

L.Jenkins

Reminds me of this bright spark and his remarks regarding Cloud Computing.

http://www.politics.ie/forum/education-science/176419-clouds-confusion.html

Most Irish Politicians reactions to Technology... :P

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=88455426&postcount=6383

darkpagandeath

Itzy wrote: »

Reminds me of this bright spark and his remarks regarding Cloud Computing.

http://www.politics.ie/forum/education-science/176419-clouds-confusion.html

Most Irish Politicians reactions to Technology... :P

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=88455426&postcount=6383

Places with lots of rain I nearly cried :P

L.Jenkins

Yup. Some people just need to be led into a field and shot, repeatedly.

Cienciano

Remember yer one Fidelma Healy Eames reckoned playstations and xboxes should have a chip installed that turns them off after 2 hours

That's still my favourite. Every time you read that sentence, 1% of your brain cells die

http://fidelmahealyeames.ie/2011/08/03/cap-required-on-time-spent-computer-gaming-%E2%80%93-healy-eames/

Phoebas

UCDVet wrote: »

Yeah - but TOR and BTC both work the same way - using maths to facilitate encryption.

There is no way legislation will ever be effective.

Perhaps - but the legislature should at least come to that position themselves.

The one specific point he made in the post was calling for "enhanced international co-operation" (in the context of the US taking down the original Silk Road). So, he's not necessarily calling for some magical legislation that stops people encrypting their communications, but there may be things that could be done - if we wanted to do them - around information sharing or taking action against sites or people when they are identified.

syklops wrote: »

By all means draw attention to the perceived problem, while admitting you don't understand the ins and outs, but to make that statement that had so much wrong in it is just embarrassing.

Maybe slightly embarrassing for him, but better to raise the issue and expose his own shortcomings than not say anything for fear of being embarrassed.
[Personally, I'm more embarrassed by the Slashdot contributors who launched into a childish tirade of drunken Irish stereotypes]

mikom

Knowledge economy 'innit.

tricky D

Phoebas wrote: »

The link to the FG website isn't working (taken down in embarrassment maybe), so all I have to go on is an excerpt from Slashdot.

His terminology is wrong, but presumably he's on about TOR and the likes of BTC and Silk Road.

It seems to me like a legitimate thing to be raising to the Oireachtas Communications Committee, even if he hasn't much of an understanding of the technology or of the issues it raises himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Kh7nLplWo

Rest of the nonsense (in addition to bits quoted in posts 1 and 41):

“I have written to the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, John O’Mahony TD, asking that this matter be examined by the Committee given the severity of the issue. I believe that the Committee should invite relevant agencies including the Gardaí, Customs and officials from relevant Government departments to participate.

“I also intend to raise the matter in the Dáil with both the Ministers for Justice and Communications, with a view to seek assurances that an EU-wide response is developed to respond to the operation of open-source internet browsers which protect anonymity in order to facilitate illegal online activity.

“Law enforcement agencies in the United States have recently taken action to address this issue, however it appears the solution was temporary as replacement browsers quickly appeared to ensure the continuance of the illegal trade. This proves the need for enhanced international co-operation and engagement to ensure that those involved in these activities can be brought to justice and that sites of this nature are dealt with appropriately.”

returnNull

He's a fukking idiot.

returnNull

just as an aside I think the FBI are looking for an irish man that was an admin or a mod on the silk road iirc.

EDIT:here's the link
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/12/feds-indict-three-alleged-silk-road-forum-moderators-and-administrators/

JRant

Phoebas wrote: »

Perhaps - but the legislature should at least come to that position themselves.

The one specific point he made in the post was calling for "enhanced international co-operation" (in the context of the US taking down the original Silk Road). So, he's not necessarily calling for some magical legislation that stops people encrypting their communications, but there may be things that could be done - if we wanted to do them - around information sharing or taking action against sites or people when they are identified.

Maybe slightly embarrassing for him, but better to raise the issue and expose his own shortcomings than not say anything for fear of being embarrassed.
[Personally, I'm more embarrassed by the Slashdot contributors who launched into a childish tirade of drunken Irish stereotypes]

Better to remain silent and people think you're a fool than open ones mouth and remove all doubt.

Personally I'm more annoyed that he's being paid out of the public finances than some randomers on the t'internet.

The Manganese Overlord

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?

Or just buy a prepaid sim

Knob Longman

But Ireland is the internet capital of Europe..Doh !!

Its thicker by the day its getting here..

Knob Longman

Cienciano wrote: »

Remember yer one Fidelma Healy Eames reckoned playstations and xboxes should have a chip installed that turns them off after 2 hours
That's still my favourite. Every time you read that sentence, 1% of your brain cells die

http://fidelmahealyeames.ie/2011/08/03/cap-required-on-time-spent-computer-gaming-%E2%80%93-healy-eames/

Christ, I'v heard it all now..That's an incredibly stupid comment..

Stavros Murphy

Did he get his bit of attention yet, this TD? Now he can get on with his job licking windows, attending funerals and having pints with the lads.

"I told them so I did Seamey, oh yeah, with their Internet, and their porno and der drugs"

mikom

Manach wrote: »

"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.

I prefer anonymous prank phone calls, Patrick.

Five TDs, cosy in the warmth of the taxpayer-subsidised Dail members' bar, played a cruel prank on independent TD Mattie McGrath as he battled on behalf of a farmer in trouble with a financial institution.

As Mr McGrath, who is diabetic, was in the 10th hour of a sit-in at the offices of Friends First along with five others, Dail colleagues were creased with laughter as they made a hoax call purporting to be from Pizza Hut, offering free pizza to the protesters.

In on the mocking skit were Labour's Michael McCarthy, Fine Gael deputies Tom Hayes and Patrick O'Donovan and Fianna Fail TDs Michael Moynihan and Dara Calleary.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/you-no-like-bank-we-no-like-bank-tds-pizza-prank-backfires-28945149.html

What a SAP.

sheesh

Phoebas wrote: »

The link to the FG website isn't working (taken down in embarrassment maybe), so all I have to go on is an excerpt from Slashdot.

probably is, I'm sure he got loads of emails as to how wrong what he said was.