So far we have heard that using privacy tools by every individual and offering encrypted communication by every company is the only solution to Mass Surveillance conducted by the government and law enforcement authorities. But, Germany says the only solution to guard against surveillance is - Stop using Computers!!
Ohh Please!! Is it a joke?
No, it does not mean that they are going to completely throw out all of their computer systems, but rather they would use it preposterous.
A year ago, when it came to light that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's own personal mobile phone had been spied by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) for years, Surveillance has become a big issue for Germany. Such a big that prominent politicians are seriously considering using manual typewriters for sensitive documents instead of computers.
The head of the Germany's NSA Inquiry Committee, Patrick Sensburg said in an interview with the Morgenmagazin TV show on Monday night, that the government is seriously considering a low-tech solution to the ongoing espionage problem and to keep American eyes off of sensitive documents.
According to the Guardians translation of the German interview:
Interviewer: Are you considering typewriters?Sensburg: As a matter of fact, we have - and not electronic models either.Surprised interviewer: Really?Sensburg: Yes, no joke.
Sensburg is heading up the Bundestag's parliamentary inquiry into the NSA's activities on German soil and is the one who know about the serious concerns caused by foreign states surveillance programs.
Germany's NSA Inquiry Committee was established in March to investigate allegations by NSA whistle blower and former contractor Edward Snowden that the United States government has been eavesdropping Germans and even bugged Chancellor Angela Merkel's personal cell phone, an issue that has strained relationships and raised trust issues between old allies, Berlin and Washington.
The relations between the two became even more worse when earlier this month, Germany arrested a German intelligence officer who worked as a double agent and passed information to the CIA about the parliament's NSA investigation. According to Sensburg, US snooping is ongoing.
After Edward Snowden released his first document about the U.S. government's surveillance activities, even Russia also thought to revert again to the old-school forms of communication, and bought 20 electric typewriters last year to keep inside communications more private, according to the Moscow Times.
"Any information can be taken from computers," a Russian member of parliament said. "[F]rom the point of view of keeping secrets, the most primitive method is preferred: a human hand with a pen or a typewriter."
IN-SHORT
But, Just think that How much is this Practically possible? Just to safeguard ourselves from spying, we should start using Typewriters instead of emails, What it means? Means we should go on-foot instead of using cars, just to protect ourselves from an accident. Agree? Well, I am not!
Every individual, even government authorities should be encouraged to make use of best privacy tools and encrypted communication only, this would protect them from the risk of spying.
