2009-05-15

Breathalyzer source code

The source code to an alcohol breath detector has been made public.  The results are alarming.  A thorough inspection of the software shows that this thing could easily give a false reading, without alerting the operator (likely a cop).

It also brings about the larger discussion of whether it is ethical for laws to be based on tests performed by closed source, non public software.  I would argue that it is not ethical.  Many people have tried to get this information in the past, and the makers of these devices usually cite "trade secrecy" as to why they cannot and should not have to reveal their source code.  

Now we know the real reason.

1 comment:

Carl said...

I'm not surprised about glitches occurring.