Should computer science researchers disclose negative social consequences?

Re:Should computer science researchers disclose negative soc... by LeanderK on Friday August 03, 2018 @08:48AM (#17679359)

Sounds a lot like the "security through obscurity"-argument. I was never a fan of it. If we don't research and communicate the dangers, potential issues might slip! We need to be proactive in these things.

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Re:Should computer science researchers disclose negative soc... by Firerouge on Friday August 03, 2018 @09:44AM (#17679754)

That's a good point. Security through obscurity doesn't prevent attacks, but may raise the bar of entry and delay a motivated attacker.

I imagine if all 3D printers were distributed with warning stickers saying that they can be used to print guns and knives that more people would try it than if it was less publicized.

Making it just a bit harder to discover the knowledge to weaponize something could give defensive researchers the time to build effective countermeasures.

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Re:Should computer science researchers disclose negative soc... by onceKnowable on Friday August 03, 2018 @06:43PM (#17684207)

That’s why informed public debate is not about adding warning stickers to things, it’s about creating competent laws that robustly protect the public.

In your example, the result shouldn’t be warning stickers, it’s laws specifically against building guns with your 3D printer. Or if right to weapons happens to be enshrined in your constitution, it’s aboyt legal liability protocols being amended to take into account the fact that a perpetrator used a weapon that they built in their 3D printer as opposed to a regularly procured weapon.

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