Activists unveil stealth browser

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This is quite an interesting topic. We obviously want to protect children from sexual predators, and certainly if an ISP has information that can help law enforcement officials track down wanted criminals (whatever their crime may be), then they are a valuable resource to tap into ... appropriately and legally of course. And yet in an age when SO MUCH friggin' digital personal information is distributed and passed around freely, one can't help but desire LESS data retention.

I don't know what the solution is, but I don't think it is as easy as saying ISPs need to retain user data for longer. If they retain data longer, then there needs to STRICT policies on who has access to that data and when, and for how long, and what can be done with that data and under what circumstances. Users need to be assured that their identities and personal information will be kept confidential and private (unless they committ a crime of course).

Another side of the issue is that anonymity is sometimes essential when expressing personal views, or sharing some information. We live in a nation that holds the right to free speech VERY highly. This circumstantial need for anonymity must not be lost amid lawmakers' desires to have record of everything that everyone does. There must be lines drawn.

These sorts of concerns are part of what makes technologies such as TOR so desireable. Secrets may make us uneasy at times, but they are not necessarily a bad thing. It's nice at times knowing that you've left no "tracks" behind you.

Posted by: phburks   Posted on: 09/22/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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