Projects
Using the Domain Name System for Content Segregation by Mark Gritter
Control over the Domain Name System (DNS) has grown contentious due to its central role in naming Web objects. Control over trademarked names, addition of content-specific top-level domains, domain name internationalization, and the creation of "kid-safe" or "adult" domains are current, pressing policy issues with potential impact on the structure and usability of the Internet. This project looks at the effectiveness of name-based content segregation, its technical aspects, first amendment issues in naming, Internet governance of naming, and the impact on other protocols and other naming systems.
The 21st Century Technologist Manifesto by Ruchika Agrawal
There is a current trend to use technology as an answer to things that require human thought and human intervention. Examples of this trend, though seemingly well intentioned, include P3P and PICS. Technologists may need to reconsider our social responsibilities before agreeing to engage in projects that supplant necessary human thought and human intervention.
A Suggestion for Sensible National ID
Implementation by Ilya Beylin
There is currently a movement to implement a national ID system that would prevent forgery
and misrepresentation. These proposals, however, have been criticized by civil liberties
and consumer rights groups as posing hazards to the freedom and privacy of individuals. In
looking at both the goals of the system and its criticism, this project arrives at a
specification for a National ID model that both improves on the security of our current
system and protects its participants' civil liberties. The proposed implementation is more
than just a model, it comes with a cost-benefit analysis of its implementation, a
quantitative analysis of its effectiveness as an authentication system with both
false-positive and false-negative results, and a discussion of past legal precedent in
expanding the role of the (federal) government in mandating identification.
Cookies and Privacy by Sumir Meghani
The issue of Internet privacy has become increasing relevant over the past few years, as policymakers, industry, and privacy advocates have come together to discuss how to deal with the rapid proliferation of personal data. Central to the issue of electronic privacy has been the concept of cookies. This paper will examine the role of cookies in the context of Internet privacy issues.