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Online Privacy is a growing issue we all face today. Its something we deal with whether it's installing ZoneAlarm
Firewall or big brother reading your email.
Personally, I'm neutral when it comes to the subject of online privacy.
On the one hand, I don't like it when information about me is being collected or my private email is being proofread.
On the other hand, I understand that in a time of war we must give up certain rights to enable the police, FBI and
CIA to do their job. Email is one of the tools used by Al Qaeda to communicate.
The Federal Communications Commission passed the CALEA (Communications Assistance Law Enforcement Act) in 1994.
CALEA which orders telecom service providers to support law enforcement agencies in conducting lawfully authorized
electronic surveillance of call content and call data. Now that a June 2002 compliance deadline has passed, carriers
can now face a $10,000 per day fine for each law enforcement agency intercept request that is not fulfilled.
New legislation such as the Online Privacy and Disclosure Act of 2002, being debated in California would
require that companies with a Web site disclose whether or not they collect personal information for business usage.
If so, they must include a description of that process. The personal information covered by the bill includes a company's
usage of your first and last name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and your social security number.
