Have you ever heard about the TCPA/TCG?

The once known as TCPA (Trusted Computing Platform Alliance), now known as TCG (Trusted Computing Group) means all computers would have a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) built into the bios, video card, sound card, CPU or any other computer part with 2048bit strong encryption. This module will work with your operating system (Microsoft OSes) and make sure that only TCG software and hardware will work with your system. Now since everything has to be TCG approved, you can say good-bye to all small computer hardware/software manufacturers since the TCG hardware requires TCG software and vice-versa. Since the encryption is real-time, you can safely say it won'tbe cracked.

The Companies

The TCPA was founded 1999 by Compaq, HP, IBM, Intel and Microsoft. But in the meantime around 200 companies joined them. You will find Adobe, AMD, Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Motorola, Samsung, Toshiba and many other well known companies. IBM already sells first desktops and notebooks with integrated TPM. Basically every company looking to get more money and control over everything.

The Way Out... Or So You Thought

For now there is a way to get away from this. Don't use Microsoft OSes. Use something free like Linux. Linux vendors don't like the TCG since they would need to get a TCG certificate. But once all new hardware comes with TPMs in them, you will be required to use TCG software. There is no escape without a crack for the hardware.

Here's the Rub

As you can see, the TCG has big plans. In the USA there's a planned bill, called the CBDPTA (Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act). First it was called SSSCA (Security Systems Standards and Certification Act). The new name reads much more harmless since the first name made it too easy to discover the purpose of this bill. With this bill passed if you ran a computer (hardware/software) that wasn't TCG approved, you could face fines and jail-time.

Why Mention This Now? Why Not 4 Years Ago?

I brought this up because Microsoft just released a patch for their first version of these "rights". Since your hardware doesn't have any TPM in it, you're safe. But soon it will be required to use Microsoft (and other TCG Approved) products.

The Consequences

The CBDPTA with the TCG is not a good thing for the digital world. Here are a few downsides to the TCG:

• You lose all freedom to save, copy, create, program, any data like you want.

• The liberty of opinion and the free speech on the internet would finally be eliminated.

• The ability to create software is now completely controlled by huge corporations. This will destroy the market as we know it today.

• There could be restrictions on what hardware you own.

• The national self-determination of software would be fully in the hands of the USA.

• The world would break into two digital parts. Those that embrace the TCG and those that don't.

If the CBDPTA doesn't scare the shit out of you, then I don't know what would. Here are a couple of websites to tell you more about this:
Against-TCPA
TCPA: The Mother of all Big Brothers
Ross Anderson FAQ
Totale Copyright-Kontrolle per US-Gesetz

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