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!

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

Do People still Trust Google?

 Data Collection, Internet Freedoms, Open Internet, Privacy, Search Engines, Surveillance  No Responses »
May 152012
 

A couple of weeks ago a Federal Communication Commission Report was released on Google’s Street View Program. It was a fairly damning report that raised a number of questions in respect to whether Google’s snooping was a lone case or an intentional corporate strategy.  For a summary of the account, have a read of this article, “Is it time to stop trusting Google?”

Google claims it was a rogue engineer and they had no knowledge of his activities.  I find it challenging to believe that Google had no idea what was happening and it is all very convenient to blame one engineer.  However, should it be given the benefit of the doubt?  This time probably yes, although it is now on notice.

On a bigger scale, is this important?  Some argue that if there is no harm perpetrated, it doesn’t really matter if Google collects data?  I disagree with these sentiments.  As a company that manages so much personal data, it matters how Google and others collect information and whether they inform the public.  As the knowledge economy becomes more entrenched, personal data is crucial.  It is one thing to consent to your data being collected and used; it is another to collect data without the recipient’s consent or knowledge.  This needs to be a transparent and open process so that users can make informed choices.

It is also too simple to place all the blame with companies like Google.  The user needs to take responsibility as well and take precautions where possible with new technologies.  Users need to be proactive and stop blaming huge companies.  The Internet is a public space.  Any information that is uploaded onto the net should be considered ‘public’ and ‘accessible’ regardless of the precautions taken.  That is why when you share information be careful with your personal information.  If you choose to share this information, then you do so at your risk.

Thanks for reading!

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 Posted by on 15 May, 2012 at 4:31 pm

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