******************************************************************** ////////////// ////////////// ////////////// /// /// /// /////// /////// /////// /// /// /// ////////////// /// /// ******************************************************************** EFFector Online Volume 6 No. 4 10/29/1993 editors@eff.org A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424 In This Issue: Markey Applauds Initiative to Put SEC Corporate Filings on Internet Commerce Dept.'s Economic Bulleting Board on the Internet First European Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy Extenisve Govt. Fax/Email Gateways Provided in Canada --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- Subject: Markey Applauds Initiative to Put SEC Corporate Filings on Internet WASHINGTON -- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee, today applauded the National Science Foundation's decision to fund a pilot project aimed at making corporate disclosure documents available through the Internet computer network. The project will take corporate filings submitted to the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval (EDGAR) system and make them available electronically, where they can be accessed by the public. "This project will launch EDGAR right into cyberspace," said Rep. Markey, who explained that, "Soon, the public will be able to obtain low-cost electronic access to a mother lode of information, including registration statements, and annual and periodic reports from virtually every major U.S. corporation." Rep. Markey said, "This pilot project may help to demonstrate new and more efficient ways of making large government databases available to the public over the information superhighway." "It can potentially benefit investors seeking access to current information about companies, economists and other researchers interested in corporate trends and developments, journalists covering the business beat, and other individuals or public interest groups interested in understanding what is going on in corporate America." Since the early 1980's, the SEC has been developing the EDGAR program to automate the filing, acceptance, dissemination, and analysis of the more than 10 million pages of disclosure information annually submitted by public companies. In February, the SEC approved formal implementation of the EDGAR program, under which the first mandatory electronic filings began earlier this week for about 500 large corporations and investment companies. Another 1,200 companies were required to use the system starting in July, and over 3,0000 companies will be required to file their disclosures using EDGAR by the end of this year. Eventually, all 15,000 SEC-registered companies will be required to use the system. As the EDGAR program has moved towards operational status, many potential users of the filings -- such as investors, finance professionals, journalists, researchers, and public interest groups -- have expressed concerns about the potential high cost of public access to EDGAR information under the SEC's current dissemination strategy. This strategy relies on a private information vendor, who sells EDGAR at a regulated wholesale price to other retial information vendors, who in turn resell the data to the public. Over the last several months, the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance, which has jurisdiction over the SEC and is responsible for national telecommunications policy, has been examining the adequacy of this dissemination strategy. In response to the Subcommittee's inquiries, in April, the SEC announced two steps aimed at offering the public greater access to corporate filings submitted through its Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system, including providing CD-ROMs to Federal Depository Libraries and making diskettes available through the SEC's public reading rooms. At the same time, the SEC expressed technical and cost concerns regarding suggestions that it directly fund electronic access to EDGAR data. In July, the House of Representatives approved the SEC's Authorization Bill (H.R. 2239), which earlier was reported by the Subcommittee and the full Energy and Commerce Committee. The Committee report accompanying the bill expressed support for initiatives aimed at making EDGAR data available over the Internet, stating that: The Committee agrees that there exists a need for a broad-based government policy on information dissemination, and it also believes that it would be unacceptable if time- and cost-efficient access to Commission filings in electronic form were denied to significant groups of market participants and other interested parties because of a failure of the existing dissemination approach to meet their needs. The Committee noted that the prospects for a significant retail market for EDGAR data developing "are at present uncertain" and that therefore, "a pilot project aimed at providing EDGAR data to the university research community and other interested persons over the Internet ... may prove to be a useful supplement to the current dissemination strategy, which will continue to rely on private vendors for distribution of EDGAR data." Rep. Markey concluded, "I want to commend the National Science Foundation for their leadership in taking the initiative to provide the funding for this project. Both the New York University Stern School of Business and the Internet Multicasting Service are performing an invaluable public service in agreeing to investigate ways of making EDGAR data available over the Internet, and I wish them success as they move forward with this important project." **** According to Carl Malamud of the Internet Multicasting Service, EDGAR should be available for public access "sometime early in 1994." To get a copy of the press release, and info on how to get updates on the EDGAR database's availability, send requests to edgar-announce@town.hall.org. --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- Subject: Commerce Dept.'s Economic Bulletin Board on the Internet The Commerce Department's Economic Bulletin Board (EBB) will be accessible through the Internet without charge between July 26, 1993 until September 30, 1993. During this introductory period, the EBB will be available via telnet. To access the EBB, telnet to EBB.STAT-USA.GOV and login as TRIAL; no password is required. The EBB is a one-stop source for current information from the Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Board, and many others federal agencies. Over 2,000 files covering topics such as gross domestic product, employment, foreign trade information, financial and monetary indicators, and regional statistics, are available. You can search for files among the following general topics: Summaries of Current Economic Conditions U.S. Treasury Auction Results National Income and Product Accounts Regional Economic Statistics Major Economic Indicators Energy Data Price and productivity Data Daily Trade Opportunities (TOPS) Foreign Trade Data International Market Insights Industry Sector Analysis Current Business Statistics Industry Statistics Fiscal and Monetary Policy Data U.S. Trade Representative Press Releases Employment data Bureau of Export Administration Notices Special Studies and Reports For more information, please call (202) 482-1986 or send E-mail to awilliams@esa.doc.gov --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- Subject: First European Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy ECPF-93 The New Cavendish Club London, England 20th November 1993 Organised by ECFP Ventures Limited Co-operating organisations : The Libertarian Alliance Privacy International, UK UK Cryptoprivacy Association SCOPE ______________________________ The widespread use of computers and communication systems has brought considerable benefits to our business and personal lives and will continue to change and shape the way in which we live. However, with those benefits come unprecedented threats to our personal privacy and potential for abuse. A variety of different models for protection of individual privacy in the electronic age have been suggested, ranging from state regulation to individual action through the use of strong cryptography. However, these solutions bring with them their own class of problems, including excessive state involvement in private matters and the frustration of law enforcement and national security objectives. The First European Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy will both provide an introduction to these issues and the technological developments that drive them, and examine different ways in which individual rights can be guaranteed. These questions are central to the preservation of a free society in the Information Age. John M. Brimacombe Conference Chair KEYNOTE SPEAKER ______________________________ John Gilmore Email: gnu@cygnus.com OTHER SPEAKERS ______________________________ John Brimacombe (Chairman) Email: john@mantis.co.uk Simon Davies Email: davies@privint.demon.co.uk Tom Burroughes Email: tom@reptile.demon.co.uk (after 10 October 1993) David Chaum Email: chaum@digicash.nl Duncan Frissell Email: frissell@panix.com Elaine Fletcher Chris Tame Russell Whitaker Email: whitaker@eternity.demon.co.uk FEES ______________________________ Student 10.00 ($16.00 U.S.) Normal 17.50 ($28.00 U.S.) Normal before 1 Nov 93: 15.00 ($24.00 U.S.) Press (Contact for arrangements) You may pre-order copies of transcripts of the proceedings, which will be shipped within 90 days after the conference: Video and audio recordings will be made of the conference, in its entirety. No pre-sales will be made; tapes go on sale in December 93/January 94. For more detailed information, contact: 16 Circus Road MM Box 8593 London NW8 6PG England Please direct any further enquiries to the above address, or: ecfp-1st@eternity.demon.co.uk (Email) +44 81-812-2661 (Manned message service; quick response) Note: this is a shortened form of the conference announcement. The full text, giving information on the speakers, registration form, directions, schedule, etc., is available as /pub/EFF/Temp/Confs/cfp1.uk, by anonymous ftp to ftp.eff.org. --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- Subject: Extensive Govt. Fax/Email Gateways Provided in Canada Planet Communications & Computing Facility in association with Digital Chicken is pleased to announce a new fax/email gateway for City and Metropolitan Toronto Politicians, Greater Toronto Members of Parliament, Hospitals, Ontario Government ministries, churches, etc. etc. As many of you know, we have a funny mailing address, and since our node is still unregistered (registration Nov. 5th - we hope) in order to take advantage of this gateway you must address your email as follows. utgpu!plan9!chyk! Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the view of the EFF. To reproduce signed articles individually, please contact the authors for their express permission. *This newsletter is printed on 100% recycled electrons.* --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION In order to continue the work already begun and to expand our efforts and activities into other realms of the electronic frontier, we need the financial support of individuals and organizations. If you support our goals and our work, you can show that support by becoming a member now. Members receive our bi-weekly electronic newsletter, EFFector Online (if you have an electronic address reached through the Net), and special releases and other notices on our activities. But because we believe that support should be freely given, you can receive these things even if you do not elect to become a member. Your membership/donation is fully tax deductible. Our memberships are $20.00 per year for students and $40.00 per year for regular members. You may, of course, donate more if you wish. --==--==--==-<>-==--==--==-- Mail to: Membership Coordinator Electronic Frontier Foundation 1001 G Street, N.W. Suite 950 East Washington, DC 20001 USA Membership rates: $20.00 (student or low income membership) $40.00 (regular membership) [ ] I wish to become a member of the EFF. I enclose: $_______ [ ] I wish to renew my membership in the EFF. I enclose: $_______ [ ] I enclose an additional donation of $_______ Name: Organization: Address: City or Town: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) (optional) FAX: ( ) (optional) E-mail address: I enclose a check [ ]. Please charge my membership in the amount of $ to my Mastercard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ] Number: Expiration date: Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: Optional: I hereby grant permission to the EFF to share my name with other nonprofit groups from time to time as it deems appropriate. Initials:______________________