[FDE] Globalization trends

[Allen]

Garrett M. Groff wrote:
> I must be missing the significance of this. The stuff that I have encrypted 
> is intended to be viewed only by me. I don't want historians to look at it, 
> or anyone else. That's why I encrypt it.

So what really happened in future Gulf of Tonkin incidents should 
never be released?

I am not talking your DNA code, but rather things that happen in 
  the smoke filled rooms (boy, doesn't that take you back?) of 
Enron, WorldCom, MCI, and the scandals yet to come. If all that 
is permanently hidden it is my belief that it heralds the end of 
democracy as we know it, even as weak as it is.

[snip]

> Am I missing the magnitude of this issue?

My best guess is, yes. Not because of a lack of understand of 
core issue, but rather the different scopes that it might occur in.

I will say that what I'm mentioning as being concerned about - 
public policy type information and the like - has implications 
for your personal private data and the risks associated with 
rogue authorities.

To step outside encryption/cryptography for a moment to explain 
what I mean by the above statement, look at the "Actual Innocence 
Project." They found that in about 2/3rds of the cases they 
studied there was actual law enforcement and/or prosecutorial 
malfeasance or misfeasance.  If the records of the conduct of the 
cases was permanently hidden then people could be put to death on 
totally trumped up charges and there would be no way to ever 
correct the injustices.

Between the Actual Innocence Project and the study done by the 
San Jose Mercury News, there is more than enough evidence to 
require that access be available to the records.

Now back to you and your private data. If you do not keep up with 
the bleeding edge, your private data is at risk. You may be able 
to stay enough ahead of the curve to be safe, but I doubt that 
there are many who use computers who are in your position. I'm 
not sure I can and I know I have a much better chance than the 
people and companies I consult with.

As to your question about what this thread has to do with 
globalization trends, I can't speak for the author, but it seems 
to me that data growth is a global issue and not a local issue.

Best,

Allen