Homomorphic encryption cannot redeem SaaS

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Richard Stallman <rms () gnu org>
Date: July 12, 2010 8:36:58 AM EDT
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Homomorphic encryption cannot redeem SaaS
Reply-To: rms () gnu org

Would you like to forward this to your list?

   The goal is to create practical implementations of an idea that only
   recently has been shown to be possible in theory.  That a computation
   could be performed over data that remains in encrypted form throughout
   the entire computation.  In effect, the computer would execute a
   program without ever being able to discern any of the computed values.
   The possible applications of this are far reaching.  For example, you
   could let a cloud facility do all of your computing work without any
   possibility that any of your private information would be divulged. "

The term "cloud computing" is so vague it only means "using the
internet somehow".  There are many ways to use the internet and they
raise different issues.

If a server is doing "your computing work", that means it is Software
as a Service.  SaaS with homomorphic encryption would giving the
server operator unlimited access to your data, but that doesn't
eliminate the fundamental problem of SaaS.  SaaS is always bad for you
because it means you lose control of your computing.  It is just like
running a proprietary program.  For more explanation, see
http://gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-serve.html.

For server activities that are not SaaS, where the control of your
data is the main issue, homorphic encryption could be a good solution.

I've concluded that the term "cloud computing" is vague to the point
of impeding clear thinking, so I never use it.  See
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html for explanation.






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