Questions about Internet privacy--govt intrusion.

[CoffeeCat]

I apologize if my question sounds tin-foil hattish, but a comment made by a CNN viewer regarding Internet privacy sparked my curiosity.

The viewer said, "I don't post personal or political views on the Internet. With Spyware and the way the government can track what you do and what you say on the Internet, I stay away from expressing political opinions. Given the direction our government is headed, it would be dangerous to post your political views online. Maybe not next week--but sometime in the future--it may be dangerous for a person to have posted political views that are in opposition to those who hold power." ...And she made some comments about the Patriot Act.

Ok, my questions...is this true that the government has the capacity to track your Internet activities--including the content you write on message boards?

Does anyone else agree with her opinion about posting political views being dangerous?

I ask the question because I am very concerned about the radical actions of the Republicans. Invading Internet privacy sounds right up their alley. If they continue to exploit their power and if they gain more power--I could see them using a person's political beliefs against them.

I'm wondering if others think the CNN viewer's remarks were spot on or ridiculous?

[democracyindanger]

1. FBI's Carnivore

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/carnivore.htm

[thoughtanarchist]

2. yes. yes. no.

[Old Mouse]

3. FBI Renames 'Carnivore' Internet Wiretap

WASHINGTON, DC -- The controversial Internet surveillance tool known as "Carnivore" has been renamed DCS1000, a name devoid of any negative associations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday, Reuters reported.

According to Reuters, Paul Bresson, an FBI spokesman, said, "With upgrades come new names."

The old name of a flesh-eating predator had conjured up "unfortunate" images for many people, he added.

Carnivore is specialized software installed on an Internet service provider's network under federal wiretap authority. Used in criminal and national security cases, it is capable of keeping tabs on a suspect's e-mail, instant messages and Web surfing activities.


http://www.aclu.org/Privacy/Privacy.cfm?ID=6967&c=130

[CoffeeCat]

4. Interesting...Thanks...

I'll have to read more about this. Thanks for the info.

I know firsthand--that the government can track a person's Internet usage--if they are suspected of a crime. My husband is in charge of security for and ISP and he's mentioned that people have been tracked and that he's cooperated with authorities.

However, I thought spying on someone's Internet activities was done only when someone was suspected of a crime. I thought they had to have just cause for tracking a persons' Internet activities. I was under the impression that they could track where you're going, not where you've been.

I guess I'm paranoid. This administration scares me.

[Eric J in MN]

5. Under the Patriot Act,

FBI agents can get warrants for whatever internet info they want.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Flaming Red Head]

7. If we all say as much as possible as often as we can

It'll keep em busy for years.

[AnnInLa]

8. Excellent suggestion, Redhead

My name is Ann Knowles, and I live in Abbeville, LA....I'm in the book.

[The Flaming Red Head]

9. Which book?

[AnnInLa]

12. phone book

just letting the fascists know who I am and where to find me, so they won't work so hard with my tax dollars to find me.

[The Flaming Red Head]

13. And I'm unlisted, but I'm still easy to find. nt

[bemildred]

10. Responses ...

is this true that the government has the capacity to track your Internet activities--including the content you write on message boards?

Absolutely, at least in theory you have no privacy at all on the internet.

Does anyone else agree with her opinion about posting political views being dangerous?

Not really.
Have you seen some of the stuff out there? This place is tame.

Also, as the fellow said when he refused to get on the boat in San
Diego: "they can't arrest all of us".

Finally, are you willing to shutup and live in a police state where
political expression is repressed by force out of fear? Because that
is the REAL question.

I'm wondering if others think the CNN viewer's remarks were spot on or ridiculous?

I think the viewer is a fearmonger and should be ignored. People that
try to make you scared or angry are not your friends.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

11. I don't care...it's called freedom of speech.

To quote Theodore Roosevelt:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."

"Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star", 149
May 7, 1918

[OnionPatch]

14. I always just assumed they could see everything I do online

But I'm not going to let that fear stop me from saying what I like. Think of this....we are half the country, or more if you believe there was fraud. (I do.) They don't have enough prisons to lock up every progressive or Bush-hater!! I'm guessing the majority of us posting here are nothing to them. I belong to a little Dem club, I doubt I'll be first on the "round-em'up" list. When people like Randi Rhodes and Howard Dean start disappearing or whatever, I might start worrying but until then I'm not too concerned. As long as you don't advocate anything illegal or violent I think you're fine.

Secondly, the internet has been one of the greatest tools in history for political activism. The benefits far, far outweight the risks, in my view.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

15. Well said and correct. nt

[candle_bright]

16. I think this caller

is paranoid. If she chooses to live with that kind of irrational fear, that is her choice.
If we look around, we see people challenging and criticizing this administration on the Internet, in public, at protests, on television, in Congress, not to mention bumper stickers, yard signs, lapel pins, etc.
The administration isn't stopping her from voicing her dissent, she is limiting her speech all by herself.