[LINK] April 1st Comes Early: 'LOSS-leader Pirate Bay'

[Roger Clarke]

Pirate Bay plans to build aerial server drones with $35 Linux computer
Ryan Paul
22 March 2012
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/03/pirate-bay-plans-to-build-aerial-server-drones-with-35-linux-computer.ars

...
In a blog post, [The Pirate Bay (TPB), a popular BitTorrent website] 
announced plans for a future infrastructure upgrade. The group plans 
to move its front-end proxy servers into the sky, creating a network 
of small mobile computers that are tethered to GPS-enabled aerial 
drones. The airborne computers, called Low Orbit Server Stations 
(LOSS), will supposedly be harder for law enforcement agencies to 
terminate. TPB contends that any attempt to ground its vessels will 
be viewed as an act of war.

The MPAA declined to comment on whether it intends to bring its 
anti-air capabilities to bear against the pirate fleet. We imagine 
that the industry trade group will respond by developing a 
surface-to-air missile system capable of delivering high-speed 
ballistic takedown notices. The MPAA could also potentially retake 
the skies by weaponizing carrier pigeons. Alongside such takedown 
efforts, the content industry's lobbyists will likely pursue a 
legislative strategy, such as encouraging sympathetic legislators to 
ban GPS.

TPB said that it plans to use low-cost Linux computers, such as the 
$35 Raspberry Pi ARM board, to build its fleet. Although the idea is 
somewhat preposterous and the whole thing is probably a bad joke, a 
group of technologists apparently already have a real 
proof-of-concept ready to soar.

TorrentFreak interviewed a group called Tomorrow's Thoughts Today 
that has created a swarm of flying file-sharing drones. The project, 
called Electronic Countermeasures, works like a mobile flying 
darknet. The drones, which were built with Gumstix Linux boards and 
powered by batteries, can be deployed and dispersed quickly.

The concept is an amusing illustration of how low-cost embedded Linux 
systems and wireless Internet technologies can be used together to 
create ad-hoc networks in unexpected places.

-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University