http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/23494.html US to yank Kevin Mitnick's radio license Posted: 22/12/2001 at 18:45 GMT In a five-page order released Friday, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) claims that 38-year old convicted hacker Kevin Mitnick is not morally fit to be a ham radio operator. "Mr. Mitnick's criminal background raises a substantial and material question of fact as to whether he possesses the requisite character qualifications to be and remain a commission licensee," the FCC said. "Given his propensity to engage in criminal activities, particularly those involving fraud, we have serious reservations about Mr. Mitnick's ability to comply with our rules and regulations in the future." What's more, the FCC reminds us, "Mr. Mitnick's prolific and damaging hacking career made him the most wanted computer criminal in United States history." Mitnick was convicted of hacking-related felonies and was released from prison in January of 2001. He's still on probation until January 2003. Mitnick's had a ham radio license for about 25 years, and he applied two years ago for what's normally a routine renewal. He's not accused of making any illicit radio transmissions or any offenses that fall under the FCC's jurisdiction -- it's just that official Washington firmly believes computer hacking must be an unforgivable venal sin. Under FCC regulations, Mitnick's loss of his license is probable, but not automatic. A hearing will be scheduled at some to-be-determined date before an FCC administrative law judge (who, no surprise, typically sides with the bureaucrats). Appeals go to the full commission and from there to the federal courts. "It's just another example of them trying to harass me," Mitnick said Friday evening. "Now I've got to spend money to keep a ham license. How ridiculous." [...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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