BXBX NOVEL Chapter 56 - Unique Tagging System
The US government publicly invited Edward Snowden to DC for a press conference and guaranteed his safety. In addition, the administration asked him to provide his motivations in releasing such sensitive information and his opinion regarding the current state of data security.
A caucasian man in his late 20s stepped out of the airplane and admired his home country.
[I never thought I\'d see this again.] Snowden reflected while moving towards the arrivals terminal.
Though he landed at LAX, the secret service was already waiting to ensure his safety and escort him to the White House.
In an elevator going up to Vince\'s office, a pretty woman in her early 30s waited for the door to open. Dr. Sera wanted to meet Vince to discuss Future Med.
"Good to see you, Vince. I wanted to update you on the joint project I\'ve been working on with Leah." Dr. Sera explained.
"I can spare some time, doctor," Vince replied.
"One of the Future Tech NPO programs for assisting the severely wounded US troops stationed in the middle east has been very successful. Previously, most of the soldiers had no chance, considering how little the government cared for them until our program gave them new life." Dr. Sera explained.
"Two thousand IED victims who have lost limbs on the battlefield are now recovering with their new cybernetic replacements at Future Med Hospital. In addition, we treated another three thousand with various common health complications without issue. Future Med services are tried and tested now. I hope you\'ll consider expanding the division." Dr. Sera added.
"Your work has been excellent, doctor. You saved my mother\'s life, and I will never forget. I\'ll invest $10 billion for more employees, facilities, and research projects. Consult with Hudson regarding employment.
Remember my executive order, we sell earlier version products and save the best for ourselves or when our competitors catch up." Vince declared.
"Your orders are paramount, Vince. I\'ll be using the fund injection wisely." Dr. Sera before stepping out of his office.
National news was covering Edward Snowden\'s return from Hong Kong. Supportive rallies in DC were allowed to show their collective agreement with Snowden\'s actions, though violence was prohibited.
After being escorted by the secret service, Edward arrived at the White House and met with President Obama before the press conference started.
"I thought you\'d label me as a traitor," Edward said to Obama.
"The administration did, but an intelligent young man made me realize the folly of hiding the mass surveillance program from the public. I think of you now as a hero to the American way of life." Obama replied honestly.
"Who could possibly sway the United States President?" Edward asked curiously.
"I\'m sure you\'ve heard of him or have used his company\'s many cutting-edge technologies. Vince Dalton, the CEO of Future Technologies." Obama replied.
"The teenage warmonger?" Edward asked in surprise.
"Future Security provides tactical and practical support in the war, but it\'s only one part of his company. It would be best if you were grateful for his contribution to your absolution." Obama explained honestly.
"Indeed," Edward said before both gentlemen proceeded to the press conference.
Edward Snowden told his story in front of the entire United States. He was involved heavily in the mass surveillance of ordinary citizens and finally had enough when James Clapper was questioned and lied under oath about the program.
"I had no intention in attempting to stop mass surveillance and just wanted to reveal the information to the public because everyone had the right to know." Edward declared.
Many Americans across the nation agreed with Snowden\'s sentiment. The least the government could have done was warn people about the program.
People began feeling a sense of closure and could now move forward from this social issue.
Riots and demonstrations calling for the termination of the mass surveillance program died down and people slowly returned to their day-to-day lives.
[It seems the citizens are finally calming down. The idea of having Snowden address his concerns publicly was genius.] Obama pondered.
A young man was busy outlining project directions for Future Tech\'s many major and minor divisions at the penthouse office. On the wall was a TV playing the live news coverage from the White House.
Vince watched the press conference and called Aiya into his penthouse office.
"How can I help?" Aiya asked.
"Contact the White House and have them extend an invitation to Edward Snowden. I want to recruit him for NetServ\'s upcoming project." Vince instructed.
"Oh yeah, and summon Anthony and Azuma for a quick meeting. Thanks, Aiya." Vince added.
"Understood," Aiya replied politely before performing her task.
A few minutes later, two executive directors walked into Vince\'s office.
One was a young Japanese man in his mid-20s wearing a sleek business suit, and the other was a Filipino-American man in his early-30s dressed in comfortable Future Couture cold-weather attire.
[It does get pretty cold in the server node rooms.] So Vince thought as he sat on the sofa.
"It\'s an honor to meet with you directly, Vince. First, I want to offer my gratitude for the promotion, Sir." Azuma declared while bowing.
"Call me Vince. You deserve the executive director position. The Bitcash network has yet to fail, and you\'ve been instrumental in that achievement." Vince stated unreservedly.
"And you, Anthony, have surprised me with a dangerously effective new piece of technology, the Network Creepers if I recall correctly," Vince added.
"Thank you for appreciating my work. The Future Security-Cyber division has treated me well, and I think of it as a family now." Anthony replied honestly.
"Future Tech does its best to provide for our loyal contributors; I\'ve made sure of it. I want to discuss a subject related to your new invention." Vince stated sincerely.
"The public internet is becoming more and more dangerous. Future Tech data is secure in your hands, Anthony, but not all network data receives the same treatment."
"Now that NetServ provides satellite and fiber optic internet services, I\'d like to add more security measures to protect consumer and commercial data."
"My idea is to embed unique identifiers within any form of media. Pictures, videos, documents, or whatever is shared and accessed across our telecommunications channels."
"The public will be given an option to check which personal unique identifier downloads or distributes a piece of content. For example, some Scandinavian countries allow locals to check how much money their neighbor makes in a year because it\'s all public information. Still, the target individual receives a notice of anyone who requests their tax income data."
"The system is a give and take of information. We can protect the unsolicited spread of personal pictures or videos and extend this feature to companies to counteract online piracy."
"If a person downloads a pirated copy of a movie, without a legitimate purchase identifier, the software won\'t run, and the pirate\'s identifier will be investigated and banned from accessing certain areas of our portion of the internet," Vince explained thoroughly.
"Won\'t people think these unique tags are encroaching on their rights?" Anthony asked curiously.
"They have no choice. And besides, NetServ will only store all the tagging data for a month and be available to all users, though government agencies will have to request tagging data of citizens formally."
"This project is quite radical, but I can see the positives. The unique tags will make the management of sensitive data much more effortless. We can use the tagging history to pinpoint where an intrusion is originating from, though this will affect the Network Creeper\'s performance." Anthony replied.
"That is precisely the point. Only we own technology like the Network Creepers, but it won\'t be forever. The unique tagging system provides our clients with a sense of peace and mind when threatening cyber technology becomes more prevalent." Vince expounded.
"You are wise to think so far ahead, Vince. I\'ll work together with Azuma to complete this new project smoothly." Anthony remarked.
"We will not fail you, Vince," Azuma added.
"I\'ll be recruiting a new employee for NetServ, hopefully in a few days. Keep doing good work; you guys will be getting enormous pay raises next year, I\'m sure." Vince speculated before dismissing them both from his office.
At the guest wing of the White House, Edward Snowden was enjoying his life as a hero instead of what he initially thought would be a life on the run.
He heard a knock from his door and opened it to find Obama\'s secretary holding a phone.
"Good day, Mr. Snowden. A representative from Future Tech is on the line wanting to speak with you." Maria explained before handing over the phone.
"Hello, Edward. My name is Hudson, the chief operations manager for Future Technologies. I want to extend an invitation for you to visit Future Tech headquarters and discuss an open position at NetServ." Hudson stated.
[I\'ll be working in the private sector now, anyway. It won\'t hurt hearing Future Tech out before making my decision.] Snowden thought.
"Thank you, Hudson. I gladly accept the invitation." he declared.
Stats last time checked:
Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$45 Billion cash in Future Tech
26,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education)
20,000+ operators under Future Security
Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner
Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)