The U. S. Department of Justice recently demanded information about subscribers from 34 Internet service providers, security software firms and Internet search sites including Google, America Online, Yahoo, AT&T, Comcast Cable, Cox Communications, EarthLink, LookSmart, SBC Communications (before the merger with AT&T), Symantec, Verizon, and MSN. They say it is Constitutionally correct and is absolutely necessary if the Department of Justice is to properly enforce the Children's Online Protection Act of 1998.
There are plans for the new Google - EarthLink partnership to provide free wireless Internet service throughout the City of San Francisco and employ location-based advertising technology. This technology involves a system in which targeted ads are served to wireless internet users, based on the geographic location of the wireless access point (WAP), as well as the behavior and demographics of the WAP'’s users, and other criteria.
Essentially it means that Google, EarthLink, the Justice Department, Homeland Security and maybe even San Francisco City Hall will know who you are, where you live, what web sites you visit, whether or not you like looking at porn, what kind of porn you like, and (of course) whether or not you visit any sites that might suggest to somebody tucked away in a Washington, DC office cubicle, that you have links to terrorist organizations.
The Google - EarthLink deal is still in the planning stages. Eventually the finished plan will need to be approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This is our one and only chance to have a voice in assuring protections for our privacy. Stay tuned!
Learn more about the developing relationship between the City of San Francisco and Google - EarthLink here.
1 comments:
WOW! Why don't we ever read stuff like this in the Chronicle? I think I would frather pay to have Internet service that is private.
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