Worse than useless - An American government attempt to help Iranian dissidents backfires (Haystack)

The Economist ^ | Sept. 16, 2010

[nuconvert]

FOR Iran’s beleaguered opposition, the internet is a potent weapon and a big hope. During the Green movement’s protests in 2009, activists used Twitter and Facebook, often from mobile phones, to upload videos of police brutality and spread messages of support and news of new demonstrations. The authorities responded not only by cracking heads, but cracking computers: trying to trace users, block services and close websites.

Outsiders found the struggle inspirational. Austin Heap, a 26-year-old hacker born in Ohio, decided to develop anticensorship software to foil the authorities’ efforts. He named the product Haystack, and began earlier this year to distribute it to Iranian opposition leaders. The publicity was excellent: he was named “Innovator of the Year” by the Guardian, a British newspaper, and gained a plaudit from Hillary Clinton, America’s secretary of state. The Treasury, State Department and Commerce Department hastened to grant Mr Heap a licence to export the software to Iran—not normally a favoured destination for American sales efforts, especially cryptographical ones.

But experts rapidly raised doubts. On investigation, Haystack looked dangerously insecure. Not only did it fail to encrypt secrets properly, but it could also reveal its users’ identities and locations. Amid mounting criticism, Haystack’s backers withdrew it on September 10th.

[nuconvert]

Have to wonder how many Iranians are sitting in prison or dead because of this careless boondoggle.

[Scythian]

But Obama’s been so nice to them?

[ryan71]

Iran’s “bay of pigs”?

[screaminsunshine]

Obama government attempt to help anyone and anything will backfire.

[CondorFlight]

I had to wonder when I read about this that since news about it was so public, and it had so much participation and support from the US government, if it wasn’t some kind of government sponsored program to get into contact with dissidents.

Now, cynical me, I wonder if it wasn’t an Iranian program, or an Iranian infiltrated program, to accomplish the same thing...

[Texas Fossil]

Might have worked better if it were not for the fact that 2 of the major cell phone companies helped the Mullah’s find the opposition.

I came to use Twitter during that event and found it the only good source of info. Freedom seeking Iranian (Persian) people should be respected.

I witnessed a similar situation in Honduras during their elections. They had a much better outcome and retained their Republican government in spite of Obozo’s efforts to reinstall a Commie convert.

As demonstrated by the turnout of the TEA Party gatherings, we are in good company with other groups of citizens who demand freedom. Remember, NOVEMBER is COMING!

[Right Wing Assault]

But the wider effect was to violate a central principle of democracy-promotion: “first, do no harm”.

Really? I think sometimes to promote democracy it is first necessary to kick a few evil 4$$e$. It isn't the same as med school.

[paristwelve]

The cell phone video recorders protected the Iranian students from having their heads cracked. The authorities wouldn’t risk the bad publicity. The film would have been on the next flight to Dubai!
This story is about the Guardian, Clinton, the Obama admin, the left trying to look like hip and revolutionary cryptologists. As if the Iranian students are so dumb they don’t know about ip addresses or how to talk. Might as well dump on the hacker.

[odds]

You’re right. Many Iranians have been very savvy regarding cell phone & internet “intrusions” in Iran for some yrs now. Actually, they got wise 3 decades ago when landline conversations were constantly monitored in Iran (still are) by then the newly installed Mullah Regime. Nevertheless, some ordinary Iranians still take risks.

Hmm, since then, the whole thing often seems out of a Michael Jackson (RIP) Thriller. It has a story, even if nowadays banal & a tad trite, with excellent choreography!

When I recently watched this youtube clip, it kinda reminded me of the Mullah ruled Iran - this time in HD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_ExkfcBao.

[Eleutheria5]

If The Guardian and Hillary like it, it has to be bad.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks nuconvert. No wonder the Obama administration wanted it distributed.

Austin Heap, a 26-year-old hacker born in Ohio, decided to develop anticensorship software to foil the authorities' efforts. He named the product Haystack, and began earlier this year to distribute it to Iranian opposition leaders... The Treasury, State Department and Commerce Department hastened to grant Mr Heap a licence to export the software to Iran -- not normally a favoured destination for American sales efforts, especially cryptographical ones. But experts rapidly raised doubts. On investigation, Haystack looked dangerously insecure. Not only did it fail to encrypt secrets properly, but it could also reveal its users' identities and locations. Amid mounting criticism, Haystack's backers withdrew it on September 10th.