ACM WASHINGTON UPDATE
ACM Fellow Testifies before Senate Committee
USACM Co-chair Visits Congressional Staff
CTSB Privacy Study Committee to Include ACM Members
Voting Reform Legislation Passes the Senate
New Privacy Legislation Introduced in the House and Senate
EU Commission Acts to Address Computer Crime
ACM Fellow Dorothy Denning Wins Augusta Ada Lovelace Award
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April, 2002
Volume 6.4
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INTRODUCTION
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ACM Fellow Lance Hoffman Testifies Before Senate Committee
In delivering Congressional testimony approved by USACM and the ACM While Professor Hoffman applauded congressional efforts to fund new research Professor Hoffman’s USACM/ACSP Congressional testimony is available at:
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USACM Co-chair Visits with Congressional Staff
In April, USACM Co-chair Dr. Barbara Simons met with Congressional To review the USACM letter regarding the CBDTPA, see the web site: To review the ACM Declaration regarding the DMCA, see the web site: =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
CTSB Privacy Study Committee Includes ACM Members
The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CTSB) of National For additional information regarding the CTSB’s “Privacy in the Information Age” =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Senate Passes Voting Reform Legislation
In April, the Senate finally passed S. 565, the Equal Protection of Voting Rights For more information, see last year’s USACM letter to the House Science
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New Privacy Bills Introduced in the House and Senate
Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcom- To review a Section by Section analysis of S. 2201, see the web site: The testimony of EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg and other witnesses Testimony and other documents regarding H.R. 4561 is available at: Additional =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
EU Commission to Address Computer Crime
In a move to address the increasing number of cyber related crimes such as the For more information, see the EU Commission web site at: EU Commission
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ACM Fellow Dorothy Denning Wins Augusta Ada Lovelace Award
The Association for Women in Computing's Augusta Ada Lovelace Award honors For more information, see the Association for Women in Computing web site at: =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Should you have questions, comments, suggestions or recommendations regarding
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Committee on Security and Privacy (ACSP), ACM Fellow Lance Hoffman
recently told a Senate Commerce subcommittee that two pending pieces of
legislation provided important steps towards enhancing the nation’s security
infrastructure and its ability to respond to national emergencies. Professor
Hoffman, a computer science professor at George Washington University, noted
that S. 2182, the Cyber Security Enhancement Act, would help to advance the
security and competitiveness of the nation by bolstering the cadre of scientists,
engineers and computer specialists in the critical area of information assurance.
In addition, he commented that S. 2037, the Science and Technology Emergency
Mobilization Act, would help to harness the outstanding capabilities of
the nation’s science and technology community during times of national crisis.
and education programs at the National Science Foundations (NSF) and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), he noted that the anti-
circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) “have
the potential to cripple the very security advancements that S. 2037 and S. 2182
are intended to generate.” He added that the DMCA’s limited exemptions have
not provided relief to the research community and urged Congress to re-
examine the law.
Hoffman Testimony
staff to discuss a variety of digital rights management and intellectual
property issues. During her visit to Capitol Hill,Dr. Simons met with staff
of the House Committees on Commerce, Judiciary,and Science, as well as
the staff of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). In particular, Dr. Simons
shared USACM concerns on the recently introduced Consumer Broadband
and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA) and the broad concerns
of ACM and the computing community with the anticircumvention provisions
of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Hollings Letter
Felton Declaration
Academy of Sciences has named members of the committee that will be
conducting a study titled “Privacy in the Information Age". The prominent
list of participants in the CTSB study includes ACM Fellow Ronald Rivest,
USACM member Gary T. Marx, and ACM member James Waldo. In exploring
a number of emerging privacy issues, the study will include a risk
assessment regarding the vulnerability of personal information associated
with information technology. The study will also cover key causes of concern such
as why personal information is at risk; how and why that information is shared;
and trends in its storage, communication, and combination with other information.
study, see the web site: Privacy in the Information Age
Act of 2001, by a margin of 99 to 1. The legislation will now move to conference
where the House version of the bill, H.R. 3295, the Help America Vote Act and the
Senate version of the bill must be reconciled. During Congressional consideration
of the legislation, USACM recommended the inclusion of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) in efforts to establish standards and criteria for
voting technology. A role for NIST has been included in both the House and Senate
voting reform bills.
Committee at: Letter on Election Reform
Science and Transportation recently introduced S. 2201, the Online Personal Privacy
Act of 2002. The legislation restricts Internet service providers, online service
providers, or commercial web site operators from collecting, using, or disclosing
personally identifiable information. The legislation also provides notice requirements
to consumers; “opt-in” consent for use of private information, an “opt-out” option for
non-sensitive personal information, and creates privacy options for personal information
that will remain in effect until changed by the user.
mittee on Commercial and Administrative Law recently introduced H.R. 4561, the
Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act. The legislation requires federal agencies
to issue privacy impact analysis statements that follow Fair Information Practices and
evaluate the notice provided to individuals, access to personal information affected,
limitations on use of the data, and limitations on collection of information to maximize
privacy. Congressman Barr’s legislation enjoys bipartisan support.
Section by Section of the bill
regarding S.2201 and online privacy is posted at: Rotenberg Testimony
Hearing Information
spread of viruses and organized hacking groups that deface web sites, the European
Union (EU) Commission is considering legislation to enhance cyber crime prosecutions.
The draft law is designed to harmonize existing national legislation in the 15-nation EU
and would require backing from EU governments before coming into force. The proposal
defines hacking as gaining unauthorized access to an information system with the intent
to cause damage or for economic gain. If approved, the proposal requires the 15 EU
Member States to introduce maximum prison sentences of at least one year for certain acts
of cyber crime, and four years in cases that caused physical harm, large economic losses or
gains, or that were committed by a member of an organized crime network. The next step is
for the framework and the proposed actions to be discussed and implemented by the Member
States and the European Parliament. The EU Commission has launched a discussion
with industry, users and data protection authorities on the practical details of implementing
the actions proposed. Comments can be sent to
individuals who have excelled in the areas of outstanding scientific and technical
achievement and extraordinary service to the computing community through their
accomplishments and contributions on behalf of women in computing. This year's award
will be presented to Dorothy E. Denning the Patricia and Patrick Callahan Family
Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University and Director of the Georgetown
Institute for Information Assurance. Her current work encompasses the areas of cyber
crime and cyber terrorism, information warfare and security, and cryptography. She has
published 120 articles and four books, her most recent being Information Warfare and
Security. She has testified before the U.S. Congress on encryption policy and cyber
terrorism, and has served in leadership and advisory positions with government agencies
and private sector organizations. Professor Denning is a Fellow of the ACM and serves on
the ACM Advisory Committee on Security and Privacy.
Association for Women in Computing Award
public policy issues or USACM activities, please contact the ACM Public
Policy
Office located in Washington, DC, by e-mailing usacm_dc@acm.org or calling
(202)659-9711. The ACM Public Policy Office would also be pleased to assist
ACM members in contacting or meeting with their elected officials in
Washington, DC.