The FBI's Robert Mueller
issued a statement saying that the FBI now wants ISPs to keep records longer or keep records period on their users who access the Internet, because terrorists use the net to perform key functions of their evil plots. While this is not unexpected for Internet users, we don't want our privacy stripped either, because of a terrorist using the Internet. This is the same old debate about whether to provide pay phones at fast food places or not, because they are used in some neighborhoods for drug deals. Where do you draw the line? Do you take all the rights of the good people because it is the only way to catch the bad people? This reminds me of
Enemy of the State, where civil rights and the need to obtain critical intelligence data collides. Something tells me this will be a long drawn out battle before we see results, but it is a bit unnerving. Thoughts?
Tags: FBI, internet, news, privacy, security, terrorist
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Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsBob JonesOct 19th 2006 7:01PM
I say the ISP should be responsible for finding suspected terrorists in their user base, tracking keywords for example, and only when enough evidence to satisfy the ISP is ready - they should hand it to the FBI.
Kris LeeOct 20th 2006 7:04AM
Do not fear them. Fear your own goverment that want's too much control over you.
Marc FoumbergOct 20th 2006 4:39PM
ISP's cant be expected to collect information and investigate terrorist activity. How does one tell the difference between real terrorist activity and two people talking about what was posted on CNN? Is ridiculous to think its possible.
The government has been looking for excuses and reasons to use the internet as an intelligence gathering source. Regardless of peoples rights and privacy.
Should I trust government officials and law enforcement agencies with my sensitive information, when half of those people dont even know the difference between an iPod and Windows Explorer?
Until todays generation makes it into government and associated agencies, the government will continue to act on technology that they dont even fully understand.
StorkOct 21st 2006 11:32AM
Terrorist want to kill us! Keep that in mind. They've already killed thousand of innocent Americans because of our open society. They can easily *still* get into our country - they're here now - and they need to communicate with each other in country and with those outside USA. The communications industry is part of the solution to defeating terrorism, just like they were in WWII and today in getting criminals (wire tapping). So, the FBI needs the ISPs to help the FBI do what it's suppose to do. Congress has the oversight responsibility, so the FBI needs to do its job.
P.S. Marc, olde boy, you don't know what you're talking about.
Marc F.Oct 21st 2006 3:36PM
Terrorists will continue to operate, communicate and otherwise carry out their attacks. What did they do before the internet? This is nothing more than false justification for government agencies to abuse and invade citizens private communications and activities.
This is not being done so gov. agencies can simply make inquiries on a known/existing suspect. The agenda goes much further than that, where no individual exclusions are made.
Some people are comfortable letting the world know their most intimate details of their life. Other people prefer to keep privacy where it belongs.
While some people bought the "We only want to make our country safe, its for your own good" speech - I remain unconvinced of the effectiveness and intentions. The way to public support is through fear. Do this, and the gov. can buy peoples confidence cheap.
The government can rifle through peoples information & communications all they want. The war on terrorism is like the war on drugs. It cant be won or even be put under control.