Technology has been drifting in a direction that could shift the balance away from effective law enforcement and intelligence-gathering toward absolute individual privacy and corporate security. Since the consequences of doing so would pose a serious threat to society, I am not content to let this happen without serious consideration and public discussion … The consequence of this choice will affect our personal safety, our right to live in a society where lawlessness is not tolerated, and the ability of law enforcement to prevent serious and often violent criminal activity.
Predictor: Denning, Dorothy
Prediction, in context:The 1997 book “Computers, Ethics, and Society,” edited by M. David Ermann, Mary B. Williams and Michele S. Shauf, carries a reprint of the 1993 Communications of the ACM article “Digital Communications Must Not Weaken Law Enforcement” by Dorothy Denning. Denning argues that digital communications should be designed to allow tapping by the FBI. She writes: ”Technology has been drifting in a direction that could shift the balance away from effective law enforcement and intelligence-gathering toward absolute individual privacy and corporate security. Since the consequences of doing so would pose a serious threat to society, I am not content to let this happen without serious consideration and public discussion. With respect to wiretapping, we can take the steps necessary to ensure law enforcement’s continued ability to intercept and interpret electronic communications when authorized by court order, or let this capability gradually fade away as new technologies are deployed and cryptographic products become widely available. The consequence of this choice will affect our personal safety, our right to live in a society where lawlessness is not tolerated, and the ability of law enforcement to prevent serious and often violent criminal activity.”
Biography:Dorothy Denning was a professor and chair of Computer Science at Georgetown University in the 1990s, by which time she had been in the field of computer security and cryptography for two decades. Previous to her arrival at GU, she worked at Digital Equipment Corporation, SRI International and Purdue University. Her books include “Cryptography and Data Security” and “Information Warfare and Security.” She authored many Internet research studies. She was the first president of the International Association for Cryptologic Research. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Crime/Fraud/Terrorism
Name of publication: Computers, Ethics, and Society (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Digital Communication Must Not Weaken Law Enforcement
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 261
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne