Murphy’s law

[rpm]

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Cellular/1166.html

IT IS unfortunate that government MPs chose this week’s debate on the amendment bill dealing with the interception of communications to berate the cellular networks for sending a “battery of lobbyists” to resist its promulgation.

 

[rwenzori]

Like the still-controversial clampdown on gun ownership, there is a real likelihood that this draconian piece of legislation will be easily evaded by those it is ostensibly targeting, while severely compromising the legitimate activities of law-abiding citizens.

That's about the size of it. Stupid law. Stupid lawmakers.

 

[Roo!]

Well put!!!

 

[Dastrix]

African National Congress MP Luwellyn Landers and Deputy Justice Minister Johnny de Lange complained bitterly that the objections raised by this “formidable body” of individuals had delayed the bill’s progress into law by more than 18 months, with Landers going so far as to warn that new regulations may be required to prevent lobbyists from manipulating the parliamentary process in future.

WTH?????

 

[geoffr]

Is it even implementable?

What hasn't been clearly answered is whether or not the proposed restrictions on foreign visitors are even implementable. At a very high level, it would be necessary to know the IMSI number of each subscriber roaming in SA, and each of the three mobile networks would need to somehow keep a record of all IMSIs that are permitted to roam. Then the question becomes how to determine for how long a particular subscriber should be permitted to roam - this is especially tricky with subscribers from countries who do not require visas, and who might have open-ended air tickets.... Additionally, this would probably preclude travelers who are in transit at an international airport from roaming in SA.

It might be interesting for some of the engineers from the GSM operators to comment on this. I for one do not believe that these proposals can be technically implemented at a reasonable cost.

Tracking the IMEIs of all phones active in SA is also a futile exercise, since many travellers buy phones overseas and use them with South African SIM cards. That just creates another exercise in futility.

If this legislation does however succeed in preventing criminals from using mobile phones to commit crimes, it will just prompt them to use alternative technologies. Then again, forging South African ID documents, drivers licenses and passports is so easy, so why bother ....

 

[qinglung]

...there is a real likelihood that this draconian piece of legislation will be easily evaded by those it is ostensibly targeting, while severely compromising the legitimate activities of law-abiding citizens.

Yep... sounds very much like the case of copy protection and DRM: it just hampers the legitimate users who actually paid for games or music while in reality it is not stopping the pirates.

 

[bekdik]

What hasn't been clearly answered is whether or not the proposed restrictions on foreign visitors are even implementable.

Let's not even think too hard. I wonder how many renta-sims will occupy each street corner? No fixed abode, many purchased ID books.

I guess some piggy at the trough is going to make furrows with its snout ...

 

[kaspaas]

They should rather spend energy in getting the SAPD, courts and jails in order and then applying the current laws regarding murder, rape, theft etc.

Making new laws requires more gravy train enforcers and will have no effect unless the current laws are enforeced.

 

[Prometheus]

Good, FICA and the new anti-gun legislation is not even properly implemented yet and still highly controversial and already it's time for even more stupid garbage legislation to be implemented. There's no real crime to go after like theft, robbery, rape, and murder.

Not to mention how easy it is to give fake id/details. Had to confirm my address at fnb before I could withdraw money last week. Ironically the money was needed to pay the hospital bill and I used the bill to confirm my address. If this failed my options would have been as follows: redate another older document to under 3 months (don't get many post), failing that print a date on a much older undated document, failing that make a copy of it with a new date printed. Hell, I can even manufacture my own proof (but not without ink dammit). Last resort would have been to get a bank statement from another bank where I never even confirmed my address to open the account lol. The possibilities for actual criminals are endless.

with Landers going so far as to warn that new regulations may be required to prevent lobbyists from manipulating the parliamentary process in future.

This must be the comment of the year. There's a reason it can and should be manipulated you bloody idiot, so that dumbasses like yourselves can not manipulate the law to your every whim, but what else can be expected from the anc.