MIT Students Barred From Exposing Transportation Security Flaws

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has obtained a temporary restraining order that prevents 3 MIT students from giving a talk regarding what they believe are security vulnerabilities of the MBTA's CharlieCard.

The injunction is in effect for the next 10 days. It effectively means that the three undergraduates cannot present their findings in Las Vegas at the DEFCON 16hacker conference. This three day convention draws some of the world's most skilled hackers annually.

An MBTA spokeswoman insists the legal action ensures that their is enough time to judge the validity of the research and take corrective measures as needed. The MIT students claim they can hack the MBTA information system and allow anyone free subway rides for life. MBTA is keen that such techniques do not become public knowledge before corrective measures can be instituted. There has been some frustration in response to the legal ruling which is considered to be against the spirit of The First Amendment.