[tor-talk] Iran cracks down on web dissident technology

[Joe Btfsplk]

On 3/22/2011 11:38 AM, Kasimir Gabert wrote:
>    Of course, if Tor was only funded from one
> subtree, say the imaginary "US Monitoring Internet Communications
> Agency" then you might have some reason to be concerned.
>
> Take care,
> Kasimir
No idea why funding from one source is an issue.  Not a requirement for 
an organization or project to do well or go south.

Some of Watson's, Gregory's & Kasimir's possible explanations are at 
least plausible.  They may not be correct, but who's to say - & they 
didn't require conspiracy.
I'm not quite as naive as some seem to think.  When I refer to 
"govt(s)", I mean which ever dept(s) are involved in a specific 
endeavor.  Even diff depts involved in same project may not agree.  
That's weakly related to my question.

The point about supporting the Taliban is well taken.  That's happened 
many times.  So are several others - like govts in general, making bad 
decisions.
One of my main questions was about, if Tor is * indeed * anonymous to 
govts in general, it is one of the most powerful tools for terrorist 
groups (not nations).  Now, if one wants to argue that govt agencies 
being able to communicate w/ whomever outweighs terrorist groups being 
able to communicate openly, constantly, w/o fear of intercepted info - 
how can I argue?   I'm not sure  most advanced countries are that 
stupid.  Don't know the answer, but know there's usually more than meets 
the eye.

Doesn't matter who ALL funds Tor (or any project); what matters is who 
is / can do what w/ the technology or info.  It's great lots of people 
fund it, but doesn't prove anything one way or other.
Saying that there's a possibility govtS know (or can do) more about 
intercepting ANY kind of anonymous communications than the developers, 
universities, private researchers THINK that govts know, is no more a 
conspiracy theory than the (now) fact that individuals or depts working 
on the A bomb did not know what the other depts were doing, or how it 
would all fit together.  That was for the purpose of national security.  
They would be the same w/ Tor or anything other technology - protect the 
national security.

To say the same thing as in WWII hasn't repeatedly happened or won't 
continue to, is naive - for Tor or anything else.  I DON'T KNOW if ANY 
govt, anywhere can intercept Tor communications.  *If*  they could, I 
know no govt(s) agencies or developers would be allowed to say so.  Like 
I said, it's a hard sell.  People are still waiting for WMDs to be found 
"over there," because that's what they were told.

Good night & have a pleasant tomorrow.