Oregon Senator introduces bill to thwart government snooping in phones, PCs

By Chuong Nguyen
published

Senator Ron Wyden has introduced a bill that would prohibit the U.S. government from mandating backdoor access into the smartphones and computers of Americans. The bill comes after the FBI engaged in a standoff with tech giants like Apple and Google over the use of encryption software on newer phones. Law enforcement officials cite public safety as a concern and claim that having backdoor access could help in criminal investigations.

Wyden cites privacy and civil liberties as the basis for his bill, stating that the best way to keep Americans' data safe is through strong encryption:

"Strong encryption and sound computer security is the best way to keep Americans' data safe from hackers and foreign threats. It is the best way to protect our constitutional rights at a time when a person's whole life can often be found on his or her smartphone. And strong computer security can rebuild consumer trust that has been shaken by years of misstatements by intelligence agencies about mass surveillance of Americans," Wyden said. "This bill sends a message to leaders of those agencies to stop recklessly pushing for new ways to vacuum up Americans' private information, and instead put that effort into rebuilding public trust."

Wyden's Senate bill follows the House's similar effort in June to prohibit electronic vulnerability mandates in a 293-123 vote.

Source: Senator Wyden

Chuong Nguyen
Chuong Nguyen

Chuong's passion for gadgets began with the humble PDA. Since then, he has covered a range of consumer and enterprise devices, raning from smartphones to tablets, laptops to desktops and everything in between for publications like Pocketnow, Digital Trends, Wareable, Paste Magazine, and TechRadar in the past before joining the awesome team at Windows Central. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, when not working, he likes exploring the diverse and eclectic food scene, taking short jaunts to wine country, soaking in the sun along California's coast, consuming news, and finding new hiking trails. 

48 Comments
  • :)
  • Is that Samsung Galaxy with Windows logo... Funny pic :)
  • I bet its a sticker someone put there.
  • Oregon! Oregon! Oregon! I got Senator Wyden's signature one time at the Portland airport. We were on the same flight....
  • you are literally famous.. can i cat a esign from you?
  • Excellent. About damn time
  • IF, I say IF, there aren't any crazy backwards ass mystery incomprehensible riders attached to it. Or how ever thins get slipped in.
  • Precisely. I really dislike how the legislative proposals get jumped on. Either way, on the face of it this good. Hopefully msft will allow wp devices to be fully encrypted, without an Enterprise account, like every other platform. This is one good step forward for security and privacy. It's not a matter of "nothing to hide, nothing to fear", that's rubbish - it's about requiring due process. You want to know something? Ask them to their face with a warrant, or ask the provider of said data with a warrant. Fishing expeditions need to stop. Intel should be gathered before any action. The sad truth is that the majority of crimes, especially heinous acts, don't actually have a discernable data footprint, yet civil liberties get stomped on all the time for nothing tangible or credible. Innocent until proven guilty. If you suspect someone of something then warrant up and hound the suspect but don't smash the civil liberties of the rest of the innocent and just society to do it.
  • Someone give this man a medal! I hope this makes it into law. But I won't hold my breath, either.
  • +1
  • Even if it does make it into law ... well, we'll have to see how effective it really is. 
  • Yup, I heard they're going to make stealing and murder illegal as well.  Should be equally effective. In any case there will be enough loopholes in the law that it'll be pretty irrelevant.
  • Thats how we roll here in Oregon :)
  • Never doubt it. Posted via the Windows Phone Central App for Android
  • And Oregon is about to start a new roll.  Like the roll happening in Colorado, Washington State and Alaska. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
  • We are quite the green state....
  • That is why he got my vote this year. The 503 don't mess around.
  • Doubt it'll make a difference
  • For as much as you guys downplayed the Ativ SE, you sure seem to use it a lot.....
  • Both parties are divided on issue and I smell veto.
  • Hhhhmm, my good friend George once said, "There is no doubt in my mind when history was written, the final page will say: Victory was achieved by the United States of America for the good of the world." We shall overcome, one day.....
  • "... by the United States of America for the good of the world" ... LOL, just don't let me start about it! :)
  • I'm totally fine with the government seeing into my phone. I got nothing to hide. If it helps to keep those guilty from getting away with a crime, so be it.
  • Those who would trade essential Liberty for temporary safety deserve neither.
  • Perfectly stated Pepper.
  • +920
  • Here here!
  • @pepperdotnet
    +1
    Too many brainwashed to understand that simple truth.
  • "It is the greatest absurdity to suppose it in the power of one, or of any number of men, at the entering into society to renounce their essential natural rights, or the means of preserving those rights, when the grand end of civil government, from the very nature of its institution, is for the support, protection, and defence of those very rights; the principal of which, as is before observed, are life, liberty, and property. If men, through fear, fraud, or mistake, should in terms renounce or give up an essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the grand end of society would absolutely vacate such renunciation. The right of freedom being the gift of God Almighty, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave.”
    ― Samuel Adams
  • Precisely. Hopefully msft will allow wp devices to be fully encrypted, without an Enterprise account, like every other platform.
    This is one good step forward for security and privacy. It's not a matter of "nothing to hide, nothing to fear", that's rubbish - it's about requiring due process. You want to know something? Ask them to their face with a warrant, or ask the provider of said data with a warrant. Fishing expeditions need to stop. Intel should be gathered before any action.
    The sad truth is that the majority of crimes, especially heinous acts, don't actually have a discernable data footprint, yet civil liberties get stomped on all the time for nothing tangible or credible.
    Innocent until proven guilty. If you suspect someone of something then warrant up and hound the suspect but don't smash the civil liberties of the rest of the innocent and just society to do it.
  • Privacy is a pillar of democracy and freedom. No privacy = no democracy.
  • Is he a Republican or a Democrat? I like the sound of it but if he's from the party I dislike most, I have to disagree with it. Unfortunately that is the way many people think these days.
  • +635
  • Lol @ this. I don't believe in bipartisanship as then itbstates there is only black or white and no gray. The problem with America is that most everyone is gray but they are outspoken by the crazy white and crazy black sides of government. No red or blue only and more purple is needed.
  • "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" or whatever the exact verbatim quote is.
  • Wyden is a very reasonable Democrat.
  • It doesn't matter what side they are on.  Whoever puts enough money in their pocket is who they are going to help.  Democrat or Republican.  It's pretty easy to find out.  I'm a republican, and I don't like half the people in congress.  Most of them aren't true republicans or concervative.  They just call themselves that but they do the total opposite.  Democrats are the same way.  That's why it's important to research before you go out and vote instead of just voting for somebody because they are a democrat or a republican.
  • Pdx ,always doing it right.
  • Well done.
  • Like! Very good to see a senator taking this so seriously
  • Wyden is one of the best senators in congress. He's always watching out for what's right for the people. This is just another example of his priorities.
  • Hai,,,..i just updated extras+info,..and ive,found out that...iv got lumia cyan software....but still i cant be a developer...just to install livetiles....plz help me...how to be,a developer....many more thanks....
  • Oops, politicians. I think he gets more support being the first to voice out such a vow. Lol
  • Good news for Americans. In the rest of the world we're still screwed, I guess...
  • i dunno. all the jokes about the NBA knowing all my embarrassing secrets kind of makes the violation of privacy worth it.
  • Now if someone could get Cameron to stand down on his insane trip, in the UK, that would be splendid!
  • So they'll have to use more of the black budget to develop new ways to hack phones, gotcha
  • Rather refreshing to read about a senator fighting for citizens and not corporations. I'm amazed when I read how casually people say "I've got nothing to hide." Well, would you feel comfortable living in a transparent house?