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The article focuses on the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and cases dealing with civil liberty. The ACM is an international scientific and educational organization, sewing both professional and public interests. It has been held that there is no such thing as overzealous enforcement of liberties. This is not acceptable to those who subscribe to ACM Code of Ethics, section 1.7 concerning respect for the privacy of others as a moral imperative. The exception is solely in cases where it is evidence for the violation of law, organizational regulations, or this Code. In these cases, the nature or contents of that information must be disclosed only to proper authorities. In the Zacarias Moussaoui case, the FBI was denied permission to access private data not by the custodians of the data but by the custodians of the law itself, the judiciary; because they lacked probable cause. The Fourth Amendment, which holds that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Presents several letters concerning on the use of computer softwares in the United States. Discussion on the reduction of the magnitude of complexity of a song; Evaluation on computer software systems safety; Examination on the status of prepublication review of papers in cryptology by the National Security Agency.

Reports on the developments in scientific communication in the United States. Attention to the interagency review of scientific communication and national security; Possibility of revisions to the Export Administration Act of 1979; Preparation of recommendations for control of unclassified but militarily sensitive technology, visas, scientific conferences and publication of scientific papers.