BIG Cyber Brother Knocking.....
>>Now *You* Are an Enemy of the State!
Jesse Berst, Editorial Director
ZDNet AnchorDesk
In "Enemy of the State," actor Will Smith plays an ordinary lawyer accidentally caught in a murder conspiracy. His life is destroyed when government agents track and trace him using cutting edge electronics.
Now the government wants permission to do such things for real.
According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Department of Justice wants the right to break into your home and (without your knowledge) disable the security precautions on your computer. Then it can track and trace everything you do. Click for more.
Right now, the effort exists as draft legislation for a "Cyberspace Electronic Security Act." In essence, it extends the concept of hidden listening devices (a legal but rarely used surveillance technique) to computers.
There's no question we need a strong, capable Justice Department. And there's no question computers have made it easier for criminals to elude law enforcement. If we don't find ways to protect society against computer-aided crime, we're all in trouble.
On the other hand, giving the government the right to spy on ordinary citizens is a terrifying thought. We'd have to be convinced that every single government official is a sincere, ethical individual who would never step over the boundaries, no matter what the temptation.
I don't know your opinion of politicians and bureaucrats, but -- from the President on down -- withstanding temptation doesn't seem to be their strong suit.
As much as I want to see drug traffickers caught... child pornographers put away... white collar criminals brought to justice... I can't bring myself to support this idea. Trade groups and civil libertarians are already raising a ruckus. Click for more. I'm on their side, this time.
What about you? Please take our QuickPoll below so we can share your vote with legislators and other officials. Or join my Berst Alerts forum and see what other readers think. And please use the TalkBack link to give us your opinion. Whether you're for or against, this is the time to raise your voice.
If the government succeeds, by this time next year you may not need to vote in polls. Or send letters to the editor. The government may already have your email. May already know what you're thinking. Whether you like it or not.
zdnet.com
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Sounds like we're heading back to 1984 folks.....
JMitch4999, any thoughts.
Or are we all just so many sheep waiting for this cyber-security slaughter to take place.
Who's carrying the ball?
What politicians are supporting this?
This spells ONE thing: a blatantly aggressive attempt at consolidating political and economic power into the arms and hands of our government.
Anyone esle awake out there?
Peace.
GO!! |
