Sistema VOTESCRIPT: una propuesta innovadora desarrollada para resolver los problemas clásicos de votación electrónica

En este artículo se presenta la descripción global de un sistema de voto telemático basado en criptografía avanzada y en el empleo de tarjetas inteligentes (proyecto VOTESCRIPT), destacando las aportaciones de este nuevo sistema sobre propuestas anteriores. Para enmarcar el trabajo desarrollado se presenta una panorámica general de la votación electrónica y se señalan los condicionantes que estas experiencias comportan. Asimismo, se resumen otras versiones particulares de VOTESCRIPT (proyecto VERA) y se comentan las características de una prueba experimental llevada a cabo para evaluar la viabilidad de la propuesta

Planteamientos sobre Sistemas de Voto y Democracia Electrónica.

This paper present a preliminary analysis of electronic voting schemes and the requirements of Electronic Democracy as a part of the work carried out by the authors in the VOTESCRIPT project (TIC2000-1630-C02). A summary of the most relevant experiences on this field are discussed and a basic classification of them is pointed out, according to different degrees on process computerization. As it is shown, most of them only take into account a technological perspective, just trying to imitate the conventional voting schemes. A citizen-base bottom-up perspective is proposed to analyze the implementation of electronic voting systems in order to avoid citizen rejection. The paper also hallmarks the new technical possibilities created to be applied to the development of citizen?s right realm. Further than conventional voting schemes, the paper proposes the use of advanced security services to extend conceptualization of Electronic Democracy in which citizens have a key role on decision making processes

Esteganografía lingüística en redes sociales. Perspectiva de futuro en lengua española

El presente artículo analiza las posibilidades de la distribución de estegotextos en redes sociales mediante los últimos avances desarrollados en esteganografía lingüística en lengua española. Existen muchas limitaciones a considerar si se desea ocultar información en textos en lenguaje natural de manera no trivial. En la práctica, la decisión de un procedimiento de ocultación u otro condicionará, desde un punto de vista práctico, el canal (en este caso red social) donde será más fácil transmitir una información oculta; esta característica podría facilitar el trabajo a un potencial estegoanalista. A modo de ejemplo, se analizan algunas características de la red social Twitte

A Careful Design for a Tool to Detect Child Pornography in P2P Networks

This paper addresses the social problem of child pornography on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks on the Internet and presents an automated system with effective computer and telematic tools for seeking out and identifying data exchanges with pedophilic content on the Internet. The paper analyzes the social and legal context in which the system must operate and describes the processes by which the system respects the rights of the persons investigated and prevents these tools from being used to establish processes of surveillance and attacks on the privacy of Internet users

Votación electrónica basada en criptografía avanzada (Proyecto VOTESCRIPT).

Esta ponencia presenta un visión global de un esquema de voto electrónico desarrollado dentro del proyecto VOTESCRIPT, auspiciado por el ministerio español de Ciencia y Tecnología (TIC2000-1630-C02). En primer lugar se realiza una tipificación de los sistemas que pueden considerarse de votación electrónica, para analizar, a continuación, los sistemas más relevantes que se apoyan en criptografía avanzada y redes telemáticas. Se comenta el proceso de investigación multidisciplinar seguido para la determinación de los requisitos que debe cumplir el sistema de votación y se describe, de forma somera, las principales características del sistema desarrollado y su comportamiento global

Social and Legal Implications of Digital Identity in a Multi-national Environment

The i2010 e-Government Action Plan from the European Union forces Public Administrations (national, regional and local) of all Member States that by 2010 to meet all administrative acts of the citizens through the Internet. This implies the need for mechanisms and systems to be able to unequivocally identify people on the Internet, together with a reliable system of interoperable electronic identification management (eIDM), in such a way that citizens, businesses and government departments (even in different Member States) can identify themselves and certify their transactions accurately, quickly and simply. However, despite the clear advantages that this entails for EU citizens, namely the fact that they possess a digital identity which allows them secure and identified access to the services offered by the various public administrations in Member States, the implementation of a solution of this kind involves a series of risks which, if they are not duly dealt with, may engender a reduction in the effectiveness of public institutions and citizens' trust in them. This article will analyse the problems associated with digital identity in the EU framework and the extent to which the solutions adopted to date meet the constitutional requirements, or fail to, highlighting aspects which may entail a risk or detriment to the freedoms of citizens and those relating to the handling of digital identity which have not yet been tackled but which, given their particular relevance, necessitate an immediate solution

Analysis of electronic and telematic voting systems in binding experiences

This paper is about analysis and assess of three experiences on telematic and electronic voting dealing with such aspects as security and achievement of the social requirements. These experiences have been chosen taking into account the deepness of the public documentation and the technological challenge they faces

VOTESCRIPT: Telematic voting system designed to enable final count verification

In this paper we present a global description of a telematic voting system based on advanced cryptography and on the use of smart cards (VOTESCRIPT system) whose most outstanding characteristic is the ability to verify that the tally carried out by the system is correct, meaning that the results published by the system correspond with votes cast. The VOTESCRIPT system provides an individual verification mechanism allowing each Voter to confirm whether his vote has been correctly counted. The innovation with respect to other solutions lies in the fact that the verification process is private so that Voters have no way of proving what they voted in the presence of a non-authorized third party. Vote buying and selling or any other kind of extortion are prevented. The existence of the Intervention Systems allows the whole electoral process to be controlled by groups of citizens or authorized candidatures. In addition to this the system can simply make an audit not only of the final results, but also of the whole process. Global verification provides the Scrutineers with robust cryptographic evidence which enables unequivocal proof if the system has operated in a fraudulent way

Use of Java Cards in a telematic voting system.

This paper presents a general view of the telematic voting system developed by its authors, with a special emphasis on the important role that smart cards play in this scenario. The use of smart cards as basic pieces for providing secure cryptographic operations in this type of voting scheme is justified. The differences and advantages of Java Cards in comparison with the ?classical? smart cards (those that completely conform to the ISO/IEC 7816 standard) are also discussed. As an example, the paper describes one of the applets implemented in the voting Java Card as part of the general telematic voting application

Design of an Advanced Platform for Citizen Participation Committed to Ensuring Freedom of Speech

This paper presents a proposal for an advanced system of debate in an environment of digital democracy which overcomes the limitations of existing systems. We have been especially careful in applying security procedures in telematic systems, for they are to offer citizens the guarantees that society demands. New functional tools have been included to ensure user authentication and to permit anonymous participation where the system is unable to disclose or even to know the identity of system users. The platform prevents participation by non-entitled persons who do not belong to the authorized group from giving their opinion. Furthermore, this proposal allows for verifying the proper function of the system, free of tampering or fraud intended to alter the conclusions or outcomes of participation. All these tools guarantee important aspects of both a social and technical nature, most importantly: freedom of expression, equality and auditability