Web Surveillance

 Cybercrime, Cyberspace, Data Collection, Hackers, Internet Freedoms, Open Internet, Privacy, Surveillance, Web surveillance  No Responses »
May 212012
 

It is becoming increasingly possible that individuals will have their web history logged under the disguise of law enforcement purposes.  A couple of weeks ago the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon announced “new plans to review national security legislation to ensure our national security capability can evolve to meet emerging threats, while also delivering the right checks and balances for a civil society.”

Potential reforms are to be considered by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security considering the potential reforms through public consultation and hearings. Read more here “Web Snooping Plan A Step Closer to Reality”.

Is this an issue that concerns individuals?  Web monitoring differs from Internet filtering as rather than blocking access to sites; it retains a record of web sites visited by the user.  Although we are in reality a fair way from web surveillance, potentially this could mean that any device connected to the Internet could soon have its web history logged and retained by telecommunications companies.

Web surveillance is something more and more governments around the world are increasingly trying to implement in some way.  In the UK, the Coalition Government is looking at proposals to monitor email and social media raising a number of concerns – “Internet Companies Warn over Government Email Surveillance Plans”. Further with the Olympic Games approaching in London, a vast security presence will be in force.

Governments may have legitimate law enforcement reasons in terms of solving crimes, terrorists, organised criminals who threaten national security and protecting the public, however, it is increasingly becoming an accepted part of society. It raises a number of issues in respect to privacy, data access and protection. It also gives the impression that citizens are all potential criminal suspects who need to monitored.  National security now seems to be used regularly to convince society that governments needs to extend the State’s powers to protect them.  However, does this actually create a safer society, or one that is completely paranoid that it has to keep tabs on its citizens?

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to ‘tweet’ or ‘repost’ this article or leave your comments….

 Posted by on 21 May, 2012 at 11:33 am

Online Piracy

 Cyberspace, Illegal Downloads, Internet, Internet Freedoms, IP rights, Open Internet, Piracy, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Feb 022012
 

There has been a lot in the news lately about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) which is an anti piracy bill put before the USA House of Representative.  The Senate equivalent is Pipa (Protect Intellectual Property Act).  Read more about it in this article: Q &A: Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

What seemed assured a safe passage bill has seen US senators walking away from the bill (Senators Back Down on Online Piracy) after considerable online opposition particularly by Wikipedia and Google.

It has become an argument about Internet freedoms versus protecting intellectual property (IP) rights, which is backed and supported by Hollywood – old media vs new media (Google, Facebook). IP rights should be respected and protected, however, applying this kind of legislation means that those who claim their IP rights have been infringed could request a court order to stop payment facilities (i.e PayPal) from conducting business with websites who are infringing among other things.  The powers would be sweeping, potentially with considerable collateral damage.

 However, is the argument that simple?  Anyone who knows anything about the Internet knows that it can’t be compared to offline media.  It is so fundamentally different, vast and interconnected with a multiple of information changing constantly.  The issue to me seems to be that the ‘old media’ business model that is being applied to the Internet does not work.  A new business model is needed for the Internet that balances IP rights but also protects Internet freedoms and allows innovation to thrive and prosper.  The world no longer exists in a small economy but a vast online environment where anyone can be connected to anyone.  Media companies need to understand this and adapt instead of trying to control.  If they continue to force the issue, they will also loose.

Any thoughts?

 Posted by on 2 February, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Online Privacy is Merely an Illusion

 Cyberspace, Data Collection, Internet, Privacy  No Responses »
Nov 112011
 

Privacy means different things to different people.  When it comes to modern technologies, this impacts on our privacy.  GPS navigation, smart cards, electronic transport tolls all have some elements which affect our privacy.  In the online environment it is even more complex particularly when it comes to personal information, which is only one aspect of privacy.

What happens when you pointlessly browse while online?  We all do it when we are little bit bored at work or have nothing to do at home.  It usually doesn’t mean anything and we don’t think much of it.  However, most likely as you surf the web, you are being tracked.  This apparently anonymous data is being collected by your web browser and is actually harvested and reconstructed by many companies.  A recent article “Online Privacy Leaks Worsen; “Do Not Track” Gains Steam” shows that more and more companies know more about us than first thought.

Increasingly more sites are sharing your information with other sites for behavioural advertising purposes and “opting out” doesn’t necessarily stop the data collection. This is different to the social media privacy debate which I wrote about in Dynamic Business.

For those that are okay with companies collecting profile information based on browsing behaviour and for those that don’t use the Internet at all, there is no need to worry.  But what about for the rest of us?  At the moment, it is up to the individual to be proactive to protect themselves.  The best we can do is to take up the “Do Not Track” on your web browser.  Also be attentive to terms and conditions of companies when buying online or filling in surveys.

So what do people think?  Would like your thoughts and opinions.

 Posted by on 11 November, 2011 at 11:12 am

Open Internet

 Cyberspace, Internet, Open Internet  No Responses »
Nov 042011
 

When the Internet became publicly available and became mainstream, the key benefit was its “openness”. The “open Internet” as we know it has always been free with access for all and the ability to choose what content to view online without restrictions This promotes not only freedom of expression and communication but innovation and growth. It is this “openness” which is said to encourage developments and growth of the Internet and business related industries.

To some degree, however, the concept of an “open Internet” is being challenged. More and more, governments are looking at ways to block certain types of traffic (I will discuss this in a future post) as well as curtail the power of technology and media giants.

Governments have their own reasons for doing this and most of it is not for the benefit of the public. Any attempt for Governments to exert influence over the Internet is heading in risky territory for the public. The Internet is now fundamental to content access and distribution and therefore it could be argued extremely important to our democracy.

A recent article “Britain, US Warn on Cyber Restrictions” about the “London Conference on Cyberspace” states that governments in developing countries must refrain from restricting the Internet so that it is free from censorship so innovation can thrive. This should equally apply for developed countries where the Internet has been growing for many years and is coming under increasing pressure to be regulated.

How the Internet will be in the future is up for debate. There is no doubt it will be more mobile and we will use it more and more. The free exchange of knowledge and information which promotes freedom of expression and communication plus innovation are all important for our society. Although, governments face unique challenges in balancing the positives and negatives of the Internet, any attempt to interfere must be seen as restrictive on the public. Therefore we must always promote the “openness” of the Internet as a key fundamental of democracy in our modern world.

What do others think? Should the Internet be “open”?

 Posted by on 4 November, 2011 at 8:20 am

Facebook

 Cyberspace, Data Collection, Internet, Privacy, Surveillance  No Responses »
Oct 112011
 

Facebook has been in the news quite a lot lately.  Whether it be ‘tracking cookies claims’ or a story on ‘Facebook’s power’ they seem to be the story of the moment.

There is no doubt that Facebook is a powerful organisation.  It knows a lot about us.  It collects and stores massive amounts of data on the daily interests and behaviour of its users.  Obviously there are concerns with Facebook.  However, the way some people talk about them, you think that they are forcing us to give up our information.  They are not.  It is information that we willingly and easily give up without thinking twice about it.  Whether this is a good or a bad thing is up for debate, although some people think it is negative.

Privacy in the 21st century is being fractured.  Walk along most CBD streets and you will be filmed through CCTV; use an ATM and you leave an electronic footprint; connect to the Internet and you leave another footprint.  Each action creates a link to your electronic profile.  Use your Woolworths Everyday Rewards card when you shop and information on what you buy, when you buy and how much you spend is stored.  No one is up and arms about this information being collected.  Why is this the case?  What is it about Facebook that creates so much negativity and moral panic?

The privacy debate is a complex issue.  However, I must say I am more concerned with organisations that store my personal information that I don’t know about.  With Facebook, at least I have a choice not to participate or control the information I post.

 

What are your thoughts?

 Posted by on 11 October, 2011 at 11:52 am

Rules of Behaviour for the Internet

 Cyberspace, Internet  No Responses »
Oct 072011
 

 

London is hosting a Cyberspace Conference which is a world-first.  Britain wants to start discussions on developing principles on how we should behave on the Internet – that is governments, corporations and individuals.

This is an interesting proposition.  But will an agreed set of principles really solve the negative issues that come with the Internet?  To me it seems a bit silly that we have to be told how to behave online.  There will always be individuals who don’t conform to society’s standards.  For those that don’t follow rules now, these principles will not suddenly make them behave more appropriately.

So what will a set of guidelines achieve?  Probably nothing.  The Internet is a vast network that is part of society.  It shouldn’t be viewed as something that is creating society’s problems, it isn’t.  We need to adjust to the Internet as something that is unique, fluid and dynamic.  Blaming it for our problems shows we haven’t yet grasped the changes that are occurring in society as a result of the Internet.  Producing a set of guidelines won’t alter that.

 

Would love to read your comments and thoughts.

 Posted by on 7 October, 2011 at 6:35 pm