Dave's Bit Bucket

Thursday November 09, 2006

DRM and the "Westminster irregular verb"

Following a brief discussion with a colleague who wishes to remain nameless, there's yet another interesting angle on why the use of DRM within Government could cause the wheels of power to seize up. With a "tip of the hat" to the work of TV comedy genius which was "Yes, Minister", consider the Westminster irregular verb:

I "inform"
You "leak"
He / she / it "breaches the Official Secrets Act"

Fundamentally, the nature of the relationship between Government, the Press and the electorate is such that disclosures of sensitive information are sometimes necessary, in order that the feedback loop whereby "morally moribund practices within Government are exposed to the electorate, to the effect that the perpetrators usually get voted out at the earliest opportunity" is preserved.

This is one of the things that various Governments' Freedom of Information Acts are all about, and I, for one, find such legislation thoroughly enlightened.

Whether intentionally or otherwise, DRM would most likely act to block such disclosures taking place in a timely fashion. Discuss the consequences :-).

(2006-11-09 06:18:42.0) Permalink Comments [0]

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