Trusted Computing Platform Alliance, an industrial group of leading computer, component and software vendors is developing a system called Trusted Computing Platform. For the same purpose Microsoft has recently publiced Palladium-initiative, which is a secure operating environment running alongside the OS and will be included in the future Windows versions.
The purpose of both these initiatives is to enhance computing system security by combining software- and hardware-level information encryption methods and user and platform authentication. In these systems the stored information is by default encrupted in such way, that only the owner of the information or a third party authorized by him can decrypt it. Furthermore the information is by default protected in such way, that only the owner of the information or a third party authorized by him can use it - or even has access to it.
In a certain way this type of system is undoubtedly welcome; for example online payment or banking systems will benefit from enhanced security. However, the IT professionals and especially Open Source / Free Software communities the response has been somewhat less than enthusiastic - you might even say downright hostile. Why is this?
The purpose of this site is among other things to shead some light to this question. Leading principle is to gather centralized link- and document repository, which interested parties can utilize to get information on TCPA and Palladium. The site will be updated in a steady pace. At first opportunity there will appear a mailing list and discussion forum, we just need to find a suitable way to achieve it. If the site will grow to be a real online community, it has fulfilled its first purpose... MSN, anyone?
Since I'm maintaining the site besides my own work, all feedback and help is more than welcome. I.e. links, articles, documents, opinions, translations will be greatly appreciated. Please take some time to read through the instructions, tho'.
Thank you for your attention.
StopTCPA Admin
Life is free or not life
Created on December 07, 2002