You are viewing our Forum Archives. To view or take place in current topics click here.
Internet Kill Switch = Defenceless
Posted:

Internet Kill Switch = DefencelessPosted:

USCG
  • V5 Launch
Status: Offline
Joined: Nov 28, 201112Year Member
Posts: 1,828
Reputation Power: 90
Status: Offline
Joined: Nov 28, 201112Year Member
Posts: 1,828
Reputation Power: 90
A U.S. court has given the Department of Homeland Security 30 days to explain why it has not disclosed its plans for a rumored Internet kill switch that could shut down communications in a crisis.

The court order follows a back-and-forth between the department and the digital rights group Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), which has been pressuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the documents.

It began in July 2012 when the EPIC filed a Freedom of Information Act request with DHS for information on the alleged kill switch.

An Internet kill switch fitting a similar description has been in place for years, and information on it is public.

The ability to shut off the Internet was included in the 1934 Telecommunications Act (as amended in 1996). It gives the president the ability to shut off the Internet, cellphones, and radio in a national emergency or while under the threat of war.

Section 706 of the act, which describes the powers of the president during a war emergency, states if the president deems it necessary in the interest of national security or defense, he may suspend or amend the rules for any or all stations or devices capable of emitting electromagnetic radiations within a set spectrum.

The stations or devices that can emit electromagnetic radiations within the defined spectrum include the Internet, radio, and cellular phones. Under the act, the services or devices can be shut off for as long as the president sees fit.


I dont think our goverment should be able to turn of the communications of the public. If they did we would be defenseless against an attack. What do you think?

The following 1 user thanked USCG for this useful post:

-LC (03-31-2014)
#2. Posted:
Incog
  • Junior Member
Status: Offline
Joined: Nov 23, 201310Year Member
Posts: 83
Reputation Power: 3
Status: Offline
Joined: Nov 23, 201310Year Member
Posts: 83
Reputation Power: 3
I agree, the Government should not have this power. However it can be used for good.
Remember the Boston Marathon Bombing? After the bombs went off what did they do?
They cut off all cell phone services so the men who detonated the first bomb could not detonate another.
So this could be a good thing for the government to have, or maybe not?
#3. Posted:
The_Road_To_WW3
  • Wise One
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 02, 201311Year Member
Posts: 552
Reputation Power: 24
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 02, 201311Year Member
Posts: 552
Reputation Power: 24
The kill-switch is a very reliable project. It should have the power to be used by the governent at all times. Just think if terrorist were to hack into the global database? all the lives are in there hands (ex: money, etc)
#4. Posted:
Mikey
  • Winter 2023
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 22, 201113Year Member
Posts: 7,773
Reputation Power: 3100
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 22, 201113Year Member
Posts: 7,773
Reputation Power: 3100
OSAMAsBIN_MODIN wrote The kill-switch is a very reliable project. It should have the power to be used by the governent at all times. Just think if terrorist were to hack into the global database? all the lives are in there hands (ex: money, etc)


I think you are missing the point here, we need communications to send out distress calls, we need communications to even go to war.

If we had none of this we would not be able to tell the air force to bomb this area, or the military to protect that place, or even be able to get out of the country. Everything abides on the net and communications.

The best idea would be to disable all open public devices and only allow closed secure channels, this way we would have a chance in keeping in contact with others.
#5. Posted:
stancenation
  • 2 Million
Status: Offline
Joined: Jul 27, 201113Year Member
Posts: 243
Reputation Power: 11
Status: Offline
Joined: Jul 27, 201113Year Member
Posts: 243
Reputation Power: 11
How much power is to much power? Yes it can be used for good but at what cost? America is losing its freedoms more and more Every year. We cannot let them control the internet more than they already do.
#6. Posted:
CRM
  • TTG Addict
Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 11, 201311Year Member
Posts: 2,949
Reputation Power: 126
Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 11, 201311Year Member
Posts: 2,949
Reputation Power: 126
Thats actually insane:O
#7. Posted:
Caszech
  • V5 Launch
Status: Offline
Joined: Oct 07, 201113Year Member
Posts: 1,058
Reputation Power: 37
Status: Offline
Joined: Oct 07, 201113Year Member
Posts: 1,058
Reputation Power: 37
It surprises me what the government can do these days.
#8. Posted:
The_Road_To_WW3
  • Wise One
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 02, 201311Year Member
Posts: 552
Reputation Power: 24
Status: Offline
Joined: Jun 02, 201311Year Member
Posts: 552
Reputation Power: 24
Breathe wrote
OSAMAsBIN_MODIN wrote The kill-switch is a very reliable project. It should have the power to be used by the governent at all times. Just think if terrorist were to hack into the global database? all the lives are in there hands (ex: money, etc)


I think you are missing the point here, we need communications to send out distress calls, we need communications to even go to war.

If we had none of this we would not be able to tell the air force to bomb this area, or the military to protect that place, or even be able to get out of the country. Everything abides on the net and communications.

The best idea would be to disable all open public devices and only allow closed secure channels, this way we would have a chance in keeping in contact with others.
no sir, . If military communications are hacked by foreign units they will be distresed to bomb what they want bombed. Even if the units that recieve this order think that its the dumbest move they still are requires to carry it out.
#9. Posted:
Jeeves
  • TTG Commander
Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 06, 201212Year Member
Posts: 6,360
Reputation Power: 374
Status: Offline
Joined: Aug 06, 201212Year Member
Posts: 6,360
Reputation Power: 374
Well, you can't really say that turning it off would help more in any situation.
People would use the internet to get information out about their current situation, they could use phones to find help if they needed to, they could get updates on where help is needed.

I don't really see how turning off the internet [in a war situation] could help at all.
#10. Posted:
TonyTonyChopper
  • Gold Gifter
Status: Offline
Joined: Sep 17, 201212Year Member
Posts: 1,880
Reputation Power: 268
Status: Offline
Joined: Sep 17, 201212Year Member
Posts: 1,880
Reputation Power: 268
Okay, this is turning out a rant.
Jump to:
You are viewing our Forum Archives. To view or take place in current topics click here.