Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Goodbye Naive Security

My favorite guest was on the morning radio show this morning. He runs our local internet provider in town, and was giving some updates about ricockulous internet laws and such.

Apparently someone's trying to implement a law that would require internet hosts, like himself, to keep records on all of their customers internet usage, and to disclose them to certain officials if requested. I really hope I misunderstood that, because included on the list of things "certain officials" would have access to is your instant messaging. Not just what dirty little websites you haunt, not just your personal e-mails, sent or received, but instant messaging!

I had NO idea this kind of communication could be stored, let alone read by anyone other than who you chose to have a private, un-trackable, internet conversation with. It makes me sick.

Then he told the story about a teenage couple in Florida who were arrested for having "child porn" on their computers, even though the pictures were of themselves!
"Neither teen showed the photographs to anyone else, --but somehow Florida police learned about the photos."
Somehow. Gee, I wonder.
The main reason they're in court about this is, are you ready, because, "they could have ended up selling them to child pornographers." Yeah. Child porn for sale! We have extremely rare pictures of teenagers having sex, come and get 'em!
Or, "...they could have shown them to their friends." The horror!
Or, "Computers can be hacked," which I guess makes them responsible.

I'm so intrigued by this story about this couple. I guess I'll be grateful that digital cameras and e-mail didn't exist when I was 16, or I might be in jail right now. E-gads, I could be arrested if someone broke into my house and went through the boxes in my attic!
I was totally afraid just now when I typed in "child porn" looking for a shocking picture to put up here today. Somewhere, someone got a blip on their screen. "Oops, someone's looking for child porn. We better investigate."

Today I learned:

Nothing on my computer belongs to me. Nothing on my computer is private.

I'm in a bad mood.

7 comments:

madmax said...

That's so retarded... I've read somewhere about that before but I need to learn more. I don't really care if officials can see my personal stuff because it's not that personal. Even Bush can look into my pictures folder. Why would you take photographs of yourself naked and put them on the computer anyway?

madmax said...

Oh, and did you know 77% of Google users don't know it records personal data? I don't care if someone can read what I type on yahoo messenger either... they can say it on TV.

Anonymous said...

private, un-trackable, internet conversation is an oxy-moron.. you'd be shocked to learn what else currently happens...

Marcelo José Blanco said...

Donna and I meet with foreign spies all the time to plot the overthrow of the current power structure.

when you come to get us, bring doughnuts. Krispy Kreme.

Donna Piranha said...

Don't tell me James. I've given up. I'm an open book. Come get me Feds!

Donna Piranha said...

I guess it's no use hiding it anymore Mars. They're onto us. I just hope they bring my favorite tea to go along with those Krispi Kremes. I'm sure they know what kind I like best.

madmax said...

Donna when you're online on yahoo messenger please contact me because you can probably help me with something, thanks...