The US is now monitoring WiFi users under a new approved Bill that forces anyone operating a public WiFi connection to report illegal images sent or received over the network.
There are a few things I don’t understand about this, but I am surprised that this bill was passed so quickly, well maybe not when you consider this (from RTE News) “The Safe Act was passed in the House of Representatives by 409 votes to two. Law makers used a system designed to push legislation through quickly which meant that it did not receive a hearing, was not voted on in committee and was not put up for public review.”
The fines for failing to report illegal traffic is hefty with a maximum fine of up to 205,000 euro. This means of course that ISP’s will be activity monitoring all traffic on their networks, meaning the issue of a freedom of speech and such are invaded. Is this bill simply a way to allow legal monitoring of the public net activity?
Although, this bill will of course allow illegal activity related to these images, to capture the scum involved, but is this the only way? Anyway why only WiFi – is it easier to monitor WiFi?
4. March 2008 at 10:45 pm
Ya you can just pull a lot of information being sent out of the air, Its a good thing though, I mean more and more WiFi access points are being set up in shops/bars etc lot of public places so I guess its up to them to start talking responsibility,be interesting to see if private secure connections are included in this!
See your point about being monitored, no one likes that, but if you have nothing to hide then why should it matter, if you have personal matters to address online then use a secure connection.