Debate If John Titor returned, would he be in danger posting on the Internet?

[Samstwitch]

Q: If John Titor returned, would he be in danger posting on the Internet? Or could he safely do it?

If John Titor returned to our Timeline/Worldline and wanted to interact with Posters on a Message Board or Forum such as Pararnormalis, with all of the NSA spying, PRISM, etc., I don't think it is even possible for him to post SAFELY on the Internet.

One thing I'm sure of...the U.S. government surely knows about John Titor. The government leaves no stone unturned. If John returned, I'm sure the government would want to know. I believe they must have someone assigned to looking/searching for him, just in case he returns to our Worldline.

I've been using a computer since 1998, but I'm no Computer Geek. I don't know anything about protecting one's location from a computer.

So I would like to know, is it possible for John to post on the Internet today without being tracked down by the government?

 

[TimeWizardCosmo]

So I would like to know, is it possible for John to post on the Internet today without being tracked down by the government?

Absolutely.

If he had access to a laptop and a way to download Tor, he could walk into any Starbucks/McDonalds/Chick-Fil-A and be safe. I would advise that he not use the same location more than once, but it's absolutely possible.

I found what has become an amusing display of naivety going through the original (well, not the original but the one from Art Bell's old BBS) I Am From 2036 thread:

Javier - I read your note here, and was thinking about something you said... something about "knowing government officials read these posts every day". Actually, I really don't think they do.

Think about this for a minute. I am one of the few government people I know that read stuff like this. To me, it is interesting (and there isn't anything wrong with fantasy role playing in my opinion - assuming that is what John [and perhaps the rest of us] are doing).

It makes sense that one would think they are, but.. who has time? (I do... I have a pretty inanne job most of the time so I read stuff like this when I'm waiting on backups to complete or other things running in the background).

I seriously doubt the CIA or FBI has the man power or the time to do it. Secondarily to that - the so-called "Carnivore" system can't POSSIBLY look at everything out there. I know it can't. No matter what people think. It isn't possible to catch every conversation, email, web page, pager data or anything else in the "ether". IMPOSSIBLE at this point.


Anyway... that's my opinion on the government watching this stuff. They simply "don't believe it" and "have better things to do".

Another thing I thought of is that the internet views "censorship" as damage, and routes around/heals it like a living organism. There will always be ways to get around any infringement of privacy or free speech; you just have to know where to look and have some reasonable technology skills.

 

[Ren]

As I recall, John said he was currently in the U.S. Army, a lifer (someone who is in the military until he is too old to salute). As his mission was primarily IBM 5100/5110 related, we might assume that John is somewhat of a computer hardware, software and security specialist. Razimus also said that one of the Habers worked for IBM at one time and now runs a computer security business! Is this family member working with John? Now consider what type of security clearance you would need to be part of one of the most classified programs in history -- time travel. His mother or father probably had a security clearance and he has been watched his entire life. Do you think John should worry about being hacked? Heck! He's probably on super cloud PRISM year 2036 right now! I would be more worried about trying to hack John. Who knows what would happen. TOO LONG DIDN'T READ? John is the government, John is the NSA, John is probably using something more advanced than PRISM to protect himself and keep tabs.

 

[PaulaJedi]

John is the government, John is the NSA, John is probably using something more advanced than PRISM to protect himself and keep tabs.

But didn't he preach about civil liberties, or were you speaking metaphorically? Of course he would need the utmost security to protect himself and yes we and he has the technology, but I guess we assume he isn't abusing it.

 

[Ren]

John is the government, John is the NSA, John is probably using something more advanced than PRISM to protect himself and keep tabs.

But didn't he preach about civil liberties, or were you speaking metaphorically? Of course he would need the utmost security to protect himself and yes we and he has the technology, but I guess we assume he isn't abusing it.

I don't speak for John. I only know that we need intelligence if we are going to protect families.