Hacking America

A Discussion on How a Change in an Obscure Federal Rule Could Expand Government Hacking, and What That Means for Criminal Investigations, Privacy, Due Process, and Cybersecurity

Join New America’s Open Technology Institute for a discussion about proposed changes to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Unless Congress passes legislation like the bipartisan, bicameral Stopping Mass Hacking Act before December 1, this rule change will go into effect and it will significantly expand the use government hacking in FBI investigations, including allowing it to hack into innocent Americans’ computers. 

The event will explore the needs of law enforcement and the unique threats that government hacking - and thus, this rule change - pose to Americans’ constitutional rights to privacy and due process, and to cybersecurity. 

Follow the conversation online using #HackingAmerica and by following @OTI.

Opening Remarks: 
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) 

Participants:
Steven M. Bellovin 
Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University 
Technology Scholar, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board 

Kobie Flowers 
Partner, Flowers Law, PLLC 

Orin Kerr
Fred C. Stevenson Research Professor, George Washington University Law School

Stephanie Martz 
Principal, Monument Policy Group 
Director, Reform Government Surveillance 

Amie Stepanovich 
U.S. Policy Manager and Global Policy Counsel, Access Now 

Moderator: 
Ross Schulman 
Co-Director, New America's Cybersecurity Initiative 
Senior Policy Counsel, New America's Open Technology Institute