Research Catalog

Title

Internet freedom software and illicit activity : supporting human rights without enabling criminals / Sasha Romanosky, Martin C. Libicki, Zev Winkelman, Olesya Tkacheva.

Author

Romanosky, Sasha

Publication

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, National Security Research Division, [2015]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Libicki, Martin C.
• Winkelman, Zev.
• Tkacheva, Olesya.

Description

xvii, 65 pages; 23 cm

Summary

"The State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), as part of its broader effort to protect and advance political and economic freedoms and human rights, champions the United States' strategy for cyberspace to advocate for fundamental freedoms of speech and association through cyberspace; empower civil society actors, human rights activists, and journalists in their use of digital media; and encourage governments to limit neither the freedom of expression nor the free flow of information. To this end, DRL funds the development of many cyber security and privacy software programs. However, there are trade-offs associated with any such investment. On one hand, security and privacy tools can provide safe, reliable, and anonymous Internet access to people who could otherwise be censored, filtered, or punished for communicating electronically. On the other hand, these tools could also be used to conceal or commit illegal activity. This report examines the portfolio of tools funded by DRL that helps support Internet freedom and assesses the impact of these tools in promoting U.S. interests. First, we note the benefits of these tools in promoting DRL's mission of Internet freedom across the world. Second, we examine their potential for, and examples of, their illicit use. Third, we consider the ability of comparable tools, not funded by the DRL, to be used for such purposes. And fourth, we examine safeguards and design and service models that could limit or restrict the use of the technologies for illicit purposes. The report concludes that DRL's support for Internet freedom tools has not made them more likely to be used for illicit purposes, relative to alternative technologies not funded by the DRL"--Back cover.

Series Statement

[Research report] ; RR-1151-DOS

Uniform Title

Research report (Rand Corporation) ; RR-1151-DOS.

Subjects

• Computer crimes > Prevention
• Internet access
• Internet > Moral and ethical aspects
• Freedom of information
• Human rights

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-63).

Contents

Why Internet freedom tools? -- Internet freedom tools are countermeasures to the efforts of repressive countries -- How could DRL funding affect criminal and netizen behavior? -- Do Netizens and criminals seek the same things from Internet freedom tools? -- Methodology -- Analysis of DRL Internet freedom projects -- Additional mitigating safeguards.

Call Number

JBE 15-534

ISBN

• 9780833091109 (pbk. : alk. paper)
• 0833091107 (pbk. : alk. paper)

LCCN

2015024906

OCLC

913334881

Author

Romanosky, Sasha, author.

Title

Internet freedom software and illicit activity : supporting human rights without enabling criminals / Sasha Romanosky, Martin C. Libicki, Zev Winkelman, Olesya Tkacheva.

Publisher

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, National Security Research Division, [2015]

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

[Research report] ; RR-1151-DOS

Research report (Rand Corporation) ; RR-1151-DOS.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-63).

Connect to:

Link to electronic resource

Added Author

Libicki, Martin C.

Winkelman, Zev.

Tkacheva, Olesya.

Other Form:

Online version: Romanosky, Sasha. Internet freedom software and illicit activity Santa Monica, CA : RAND, [2015] 9780833090881 (DLC) 2015026629

Research Call Number

JBE 15-534