I've written a new article in the ongoing series of Buzz Network articles in Wisconsin Technology Network. The article "Big Brother is Watching; Privacy Barriers are Falling Down" examines some of the recent government and industry intrusions into consumer privacy along with providing suggestions for ways that businesses can avoid problems with their customer's privacy.
I've written a new column in the ongoing series of Buzz Network columns for Wisconsin Technology Network. The new column "5 fearless technology forecasts for 2008" looks at 5 key trends or forecasts that will be impacting e-business and marketing in 2008.
Paul Gibler
the Web Chef
ConnectingDots
FBI Vacuuming Up Personal Information
CNET reports on the FBI's gathering and storing of massive amounts of behavioral data related to Internet usage. The technique is being referred to as "full pipe surveillance" and allows for the FBI to search and query for individual information in the immense amount being captured by the surveillance according to the article. With American's concerned about data privacy, this technique has drawn scorn from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other privacy advocates.
This revelation follows the controversy of the Bush administrations secret surveillance of e-mail and phone calls of American citizens. The New York Times in an editorial has called to task the President's belief that his actions are beyond the law as "commander in chief".
CNET reports that the FBI, working with Senator DeWine of Ohio, is seeking to introduce a bill that would force ISP's and manufacturers of routing equipment to provide access for Internet wiretapping. They claim that the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, necessitates that they have greater access to private Internet communications without prior legal approval of the courts.
If true, this expansion of the law would create a negative impact on Internet users right to privacy.
I was analyzing my ConnectingDots web site traffic and found that one of the pages with the most traffic was the one that I have dedicated to Privacy Resources. This supports the discussion point that I make in many of my e-marketing presentations that consumers are looking for more control and confidence. With the internet and telecommunications converging and becoming ubiquitous this desire to manage the release and access to information is becoming even more critical to consumers.
Interestingly, the U.S. Senate has joined the crowd following some embarassing examples of the ease with which "private" telephone records could be purchased online. As InternetNews reported yesterday, "Senate Passes Phone Data Confidentiality Bill", legislators are continuing to take steps to help consumers gain control over the release or access to private information.
There are various blogs focusing on privacy including Privacy Marketing Review, PrivacySpot and PrivacyDigest.
