6
Editor-In-Chief
Nigel Williams Editor
Godfrey Wray
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Editorial
Technology and the fight against terrorism
THE attempt by the United States (U.S) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to access the cellphone record of Syed Rizwan Farook, the attacker who on December 2, 2015 killed 14 people in San Bernardino, is an interesting case of the use of technology to disseminate information, plan, promote and execute terrorism, and the critical role of intelligence-gathering in combating this crime. The FBI wants access to the encryption of Farook’s iPhone. Apple, the company that makes this phone, has said no. The U.S. government feels Apple’s action will hurt national security. There is some merit to the position of both sides and it is interesting to see how the matter will be resolved. Where the cellphone has become a powerful multi-function device and its content can be transmitted in seconds around the world, reaching multiple targets and communities, it is understandable that the FBI sees the importance of having access. The effects of and fight against terrorism is multi-dimensional and borderless, equally as recruitment and purveyors of terrorist information and acts are. Where Apple has succeeded in ensuring a competitive edge, tapping into a large share of the market based on product-quality, inclusive of customer security, it is also understandable the need to protect same. On February 16, 2016, Federal Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym ordered Apple to open Farook’s iPhone. Apple refused and countered in an open letter signed by Chief Executive Tim Cook, : “A Message to Our Customers” that, “The implications of the government’s demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone’s device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone’s microphone or camera without your knowledge.” What we are seeing here is an intersecting conundrum of customer privacy, terrorism crime-fighting and technology. This matter has also taken on a life outside of Apple and the FBI. The powerful American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) , weighing in, said the FBI’s demand is an overreach of government and argued that if Apple cedes it would mean a loss of civil liberties in the society. Apple supporters in the U.S. and around the world (U.K, U.S Hong Kong and Germany) protested in support of the tech giant’s fight with the FBI. The U.S. lawmakers and
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday March 3, 2016
Team Benschop must come clean AS we in Guyana get closer to local government elections, we see several political parties attempting to gain seats in municipalities of the cities and towns. Georgetown appears to be attracting the attention of most of those who are hoping to be councillors. However, I wish to single out one particular party – Team Benschop. Two things are very wrong with the campaign of this party. First, it is asking citizens to vote for Mark Benschop for mayor. This is grossly misleading. Citizens do not vote for mayors,they vote for coun-
cillors. Elected councillors vote for mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and vice-chairmen. So the campaign begins from the position of dishonesty and misinformation. This attitude could not help the efforts of the current government to develop the city and the country as a whole. Citizens need to be aware that Team Benschop is misleading them at this initial stage. Imagine what will happen if such a person gets into local politics. Second, Team Benschop must tell citizens who is financing its campaign. Word on the streets is that, that
party is apparently being bankrolled by the PPP. Noting wrong with that, but Mark Benschop and his team must tell us if this is the case, because “he who pays the piper calls the tune.” If this is the case, then it means a vote for Mark Benschop is a vote for the PPP. If the PPP is indeed financing team Benschop, then they are trying to get into council through the backdoor. The PPP knows that its poor performance record will prevent citizens from putting its members in councils, so they are using Mark to get in and then attempt to take control. I
believe that citizens need to know who is financing Mark’s campaign. He must tell us the truth. Finally, Team Benschop is yet to come up with a sensible plan on how they will continue to rebuild Georgetown. Making small talk and empty promises will never work. Citizens need serious plans to assist their communities. Guyanese are fed up of politicians who are average and dishonest. So let us hear the truth, the whole truth and nothing else but the truth. JOHN JACKSON
The City has truly transformed THE Mayor and City Council must be congratulated for the great job they have been doing with Georgetown. Mr. Royston King, Town Clerk, and his team of administrators must feel very proud of the current state of the city. The city has been truly transformed from garbage to garden. It is now very easy on the eyes and there is a general mood of goodwill for the council. Guyanese will recall that about seven months ago, the city was characterised by rotting piles of garbage in every corner of every community. Street and alleyway
drains were clogged with stagnant water and rubbish, open spaces were left to the mercy of bushes, overgrowth and undergrowth, reptiles, bugs, dirt and homeless people. Mosquitoes and other nuisances were the order of the day. Municipal buildings were dilapidated and left in a ruinous condition. For 23 long years, a previous administration superintended over the almost total destruction of the city. That administration spent money to do pseudo mega-projects, but could not make available to the council small sums of monies to do basic cleaning. Instead,
presidential contenders also weighed in and some have argued that while they respect tech companies’ customer privacy rights, equally they demanded that these companies do more to help the government in its fight against terrorism. In efforts to find a solution on Tuesday, March 1, the U.S Congress (legislature) House Judicial Committee began hearings with the FBI and Apple. FBI Director James Comey Jr is making the case that, “There’s already a door on the iPhone. We are asking Apple to take the vicious dog away and let us pick the lock.” Apple, through its general counsel, Bruce Sewell, countered, “The FBI is asking Apple to weaken the security of our products,” asking “Is it the right thing to make our society overall less safe in order to solve crime?” It is also of interest to note that during the hearing, the FBI made it known that it has lost an opportunity to capture the data within the 24-hour timeframe of the
they appointed Carol Sooba as Town Clerk. She undermined the authority of the council and destroyed all the systems of the council. Supported by that regime, she disrespected elected representatives of the people. Georgetown was brimming with dirt and grime, but the previous administration could not care less about the health of Guyana’s capital. Today, the city looks great. I am proud to be a Guyanese and I respect the efforts of the council. I would like to encourage the town clerk to keep up the good work, in spite of the naysayers and the negatives
peddled about by those who apparently hold no good for the city and its populace. Mr. King should know he has the full support and cooperation of all civic-minded Guyanese who want to see Georgetown bloom and prosper. I have been doing community work in my area to help the effort of the council because I know that it is not easy. We all have to work together to make Georgetown a better place. So thank you Mr King and team for a job well done. Keep up the good works. AUBREY SUBNER
shooting, given that it had ordered the password be reset to Farook’s iCloud account. Apparently, while the FBI was of the opinion it was being proactive in securing access to the record, it has proven not so. The director in his own words said, “There was a mistake made in the 24 hours after the attack.” In addition to this hearing, highlighting the complexities of the technology and conundrum for those who are not techno savvy, it provides a public forum to address and hopefully resolve the matter, as the public is being allowed the opportunity to hear competing positions. What is certain however is whatever decision is arrived at it can have consequences for customer privacy in the fight against terrorism, not only in the U.S. but worldwide. As with any technology, the cellphone carries its pluses and minuses. However, the suspect use of this device when terrorism threatens lives, properties, national and global security, it is a thin line to walk.