CR&CL (UK) issues a report on Intel and privacy concerns

[Yaman Akdeniz]

Here is the announcement of our report in relation to Intel and 
privacy concerns. The report is written by Dr Brian Gladman, our
Technology Policy Adviser.

Yaman

Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK) Press Statement 

"CR&CL (UK) issues a report on Intel and privacy concerns"

13:00 GMT, 24 February, 1999

LEEDS - Today Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK) publishes its report
on the Intel PIII Processor Serial Number Feature. The report written
by Dr Brian Gladman, Technology Policy Adviser to Cyber-Rights &
Cyber-Liberties (UK) criticises Intel for introducing security
features on the new Intel PIII chip without adequate or timely public
consultation. The report calls for a change in policy for such
features, which should in future involve open consultation on time
scales which allow concerns about their operation and use to be
resolved. The report, furthermore, proposes a new way forward,
including important recommendations for Intel, PC Manufacturers,
Suppliers, Retailers, Software (and Web/Internet Service) Suppliers,
and PC Owners (especially Consumers and Home Users).

The report which is available through (a copy of the report is
attached at the end of this press release) 
<http://www.cyber-rights.org/reports/intel-rep.htm> states that:

"CR&CL(UK) does not have any doubts about Intel's desire to improve
security for its customers. We are, however, surprised to be faced
with a `fait accompli' on such an important issue. We are also
surprised to be put in this position by a company that has a global
influence on the safety, the security and the privacy of millions of
consumers. We simply cannot accept that such steps should be taken
without the widest possible public consultation."

Dr Brian Gladman, the Technology Policy Adviser to CR&CL(UK) who
co-ordinated the CR&CL(UK) strategy in relation to Intel PIII privacy
and security issues stated that:

"While I feel sure that Intel is genuine in wanting to improve
security for its end users, the company needs to be more open about
their approach and more willing to involve the wider community at a
much earlier stage in their thinking in order to avoid the
misunderstandings and concerns that have so clearly been the result of
their PIII announcement"

Mr Yaman Akdeniz, the Director of CR&CL(UK) stated that:

" We are concerned with the impact of this new technology on privacy.
Our report is critical and constructive at the same time. We hope,
Intel, the computer industry, and the consumers will take into account
our recommendations."

Mr Nicholas Bohm, E-Commerce Policy Adviser to CR&CL(UK) added:

"Serial numbering of chips, under the owner's control, could offer
some useful benefits.  But it could also be helpful to repressive
regimes in taking action against dissidents who use the Internet to
promote democracy and human rights causes.  And if software vendors
tried to tie licences to individual processors as an anti-piracy
technique, it could lead to awkward practical problems for users
wanting to upgrade processors or run on a backup system.  Intel do not
seem to have thought through the implications of their plans for the
PIII chip."

Notes for the Media:

This press release will be available at
http://www.cyber-rights.org/press

The CR&CL (UK) report on Intel and privacy is available through
http://www.cyber-rights.org/reports/intel-rep.htm

Contact Information

Dr Brian Gladman, Crypto Technology Policy Adviser, 
Cyber Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK)
Telephone: 01905 748990, dial +44 1905 748990 if you are abroad.
E-mail: brg@cyber-rights.org 

Mr Yaman Akdeniz, director of Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK)
Telephone: 0498-865116, dial +44 498 865116 if you are abroad. E-mail:
lawya@cyber-rights.org

Mr Nicholas Bohm, E-Commerce Policy Adviser,
Cyber Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK)
Telephone: 01279 871272, dial +44 1279 871272 if you are abroad.
E-mail: nbohm@cyber-rights.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yaman Akdeniz <lawya@cyber-rights.org>
Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK) at: http://www.cyber-rights.org

Read the new CR&CL (UK) Report, Who Watches the Watchmen, Part:II
Accountability & Effective Self-Regulation in the Information Age,
August 1998 at http://www.cyber-rights.org/watchmen-ii.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~