An article on foxnews.com today gave evidence that those in the White House are planning yet another attack on American liberties. We've already heard how the Federal Communications Commission has plans to push ahead with Net Neutrality, despite the policy being soundly rejected by Congress (and that was when democrats still held a majority in both houses!). Now it comes to light that the administration hopes to create “Internet IDs” for every American through the Commerce Department.
On one hand, it is not surprising that they would choose the Commerce Department as the venue for this latest freedom-killing scheme. After all, the commerce clause is the go-to phrase, the get-out-of-jail-free card that the federal government uses for every step they take outside the limited sphere of influence granted them by the Constitution.
Currently the administration claims that privacy and anonymity on the Internet will remain, that a “centralized database will not emerge.”
What then, exactly, is the point of creating this infrastructure? “Enhancing online security and privacy” can be done---- and is done every day---- by the private sector and is far more effective than the government could ever dream of achieving. Sadly, the best information technology security professionals probably work for Google, and not the federal government. One need only look at the Wikileaks debacle to realize the government has absolutely no room whatsoever to be telling anyone else how to go about his or her Internet security.
The only reasonable explanation for creating this infrastructure is that somewhere down the road it will be used to create such a “centralized database.” Imagine what it would be like if the government knew every file a person downloaded, every piece of software that person used, every IM conversation? Every blog post an individual made? How about people's use of dating websites? Skype conversations? Sure, law enforcement may catch a lot more illegal music downloaders, and probably some more child porn manufacturers, but there would also be clear violations the Constitutional right to privacy.
Just think, after they create this wonderful means of invading everybody's privacy, they can draft a new version of the Espionage Act!
Links:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20027800-281.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks
In typical "lame stream media" fashion, nobody else is talking about this. There was, however, a rather disturbing opinion piece the other day in the New York Times about free speech and the dangers of an unregulated Internet.
Edit: When I wrote this early today I had not yet heard about the tragedy taking place in Arizona. My prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, the other victims of the shooting, and all their families.
