[liberationtech] Blue Coat and Syria

[Jacob Appelbaum]

On 10/11/2011 08:41 PM, Collin Anderson wrote:

> 
> http://b.averysmallbird.com/entries/this-is-definitely-not-a-bluecoat-device-in-syria
> 
> 
> While we can expect corporations to be profit-motivated, one cannot presume
> they are dumb enough to risk federal or civil prosecution over involvement
> with embargoed countries. From personal experience with Iran, hardware will
> eventually find its way to where there is need — restrictions increase
> price, not necessarily decreases availability. No company can reasonably be
> held accountable for second-hand sales, and many have increased their
> control of distributors as a result of leakages to embargoed countries. It
> is unfortunate that Blue Coat chose denial, rather than a mature approach,
> to handle the situation.
> 

I've also been collecting evidence of Bluecoat in Syria; it appears to
be a common hobby amongst freedom loving hacktivists. It's pretty
straight forward and obvious that Bluecoat devices are actively
filtering in Syria, Bluecoat does nothing to stop it and actually
appears to directly support it.

The sale and support of surveillance equipment should be regulated like
firearms. Oh wait, Syria is already on the embargo list? So really we
don't need new laws at all? We just need someone to hand them their
legal ass with the laws that already exist?

I have some serial numbers for the Bluecoat devices in Syria and I know
I'm not the only one.

Any takers?

All the best,
Jacob