A troubling turn of events for online privacy

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Lawmaker: U.S. subpoenaed Twitter information linked to WikiLeaks - CNN.com

Ignoring the fact the accounts are associated with wikileaks, it is quite a disturbing idea that this type of scenario could very well take place. Makes me a little uneasy about what I put on FaceBook.

Any thoughts?

Chris
  • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
    Chris,

    Our government here in the States has for many years subpoenaed from Google search information on certain individuals which they used to successfully prosecute those same individuals.

    This has been going on for long time, in fact if you read Google's Privacy Terms you'll see they spell it out...




    "Google only shares personal information with other companies or individuals outside of Google in the following limited circumstances: [snip]
    • We have a good faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to (a) satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request, (b) enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations thereof, (c) detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues, or (d) protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Google, its users or the public as required or permitted by law."
    Nothing new with Twitter having to turn your information over to Uncle Slam.


    ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Chris - it's a commonly known practice to never say anything online that can be used against you in a court of law. Anonymity is an illusion. If you doubt that - check out the ads that appear on your computer - and I don't mean just on facebook. Any time you put info online, even in your settings where you wouldn't think anyone would see it. If it can be sold, it will be. The moral standard is no longer a separate entity from the monetary policy.

    Step away from that info and look at the seizure of 77 websites without due process. Some of these sites were not actually "selling" anything. They just had links to sites that did. There are some judges now calling linking "publishing". I think this can be over-ridden by the fact that the site owners did not complain and that it can also be seen as directory advertising the same as having a business listing in the yellow pages or an ad in a magazine.
    The point, however, is comprehensive.

    Whatever they want to do to your presence online, they can, and will. Conduct yourself accordingly.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author 82ana
    Its pretty hard to like a character like Assange (a little full of himself) and by extension Wikileaks.But this is just WRONG! I mean do civil liberties mean nothing to these governments? *sigh*

    Having said that, leaving a digital trail of scum will come back to bite. When you apply for a loan, job, anything, they can check up on this stuff. Maintaining privacy is an illusion in the age of information. Just ask the diplomats who got their faces painted red.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    I believe that freedom or not, tyranny or not, we need to be able to track down and prosecute criminals whether they are virtual or physical.

    We just have to give up certain civil liberties (literally in this dark time -duh) in order to remain a Sovereign Nation

    ...and to have any part of PEACE AND SECURITY = FREEDOM -

    (little less-illogical than killing for peace as in war lol.)

    A good site for you to check: and have yourself removed.
    People Search | White Pages | Find People | FREE!

    Spokeo Directory Removal will confirm by email in minutes.


    I will tell you why this is different from white pages, free name searches, phone number reverse LOOKUP address or all dat.

    Before I had myself removed - it had publicly revealed my specific address (something even my local phone book has NEVER had and I do not use it on domain registrations and the regular public internet biz info. ONLY USED for SALES - shipping & billing info

    It even had me publicly listed identifying a relative/my uncle who died 25 years ago. Huge thanks to my wonderful son Sean for pointing this listing out to me so I could NUKE IT!

    One way to see where you are getting listed from is use different versions of your name and address in different places (like profiles when you sign up for or buy anything).

    with uspo junk mail you can use different names at the same address to see where you will start to get junk from after you visit. (can do online 2)

    Edit: while at the same time having all their privacy policies yin yang.
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    LOL I just went to that site Pat to see if I was on there and wow there are 6 people listed with my name.
    yikes
    So much for being unique maybe I will change my name to gorgeous eyes:p
    LOL
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    So what JA did was to breach the privacy of gov and reveal that they were conducting themselves criminally.

    Pat - if you think it's okay for them to take our civil rights away, then fine let them have yours........

    But as for myself, I am violently opposed to letting go of mine and feel very unsafe knowing they can just walk in and trounce any of my rights that they so well wish to. I prefer to go back to "due process", "innocence before proof of guilt" and all those seemingly archaic rights that we should be just considered born with.

    This country was much, much safer when our government had restrictions and everyone had rights.

    I have no idea what exactly it is you feel safe from just because the government can trace every website you visited.

    BTW - not everyone being investigated and having their privacy invaded is a criminal. Neither, necessarily is JA. That man is not been proven guilty of a crime. There are judges that say he broke no laws.

    People have heard the media side of this one, and have no clue what really went on - or that many of those "new released" documents were actually public knowledge long enough ago to spark petitions that carried over a million signatures to impeach Bush. I'm still not clear on which of the documents are actually even "New releases". There are many calling him a criminal without even knowing what went on - just spitting back what they heard a politician or media talking head say. So much for a fair trial here, JA.
    America has decided - even before they get to hear the Pentagon's side of the story. They might not be ready for that on prime time either.

    So here we are with just another big media push to make things sound so scary and dangerous and wrong that there are people rushing to hand over more of their rights again.

    Man - some people just never "get it".
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author RaptorGabe
    I think the best philosophy with putting information online is to assume that it is open to EVERYONE! Online and privacy simply don't go together at all in my opinion. Does ANYONE actually feel they can post secure information online?
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    Sal - JA was the last thing on my mind.

    You are assuming too many things from my statements that are not related to what i am saying. I agree with you about our rights

    I am saying it is ok to sacrifice SOME when it is directly RELATED to prosecuting either a criminal or corrupt officials. bring it!

    EITHER WOULD BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO SECURITY

    I think you know I want all corruption in the public and the government to be revealed. AND PROSECUTED hello

    In that I am referring more to a loss of civil rights BY CRIMINALS WHO PREY ON THE PEOPLE - whether they are thugs or demigods

    We the People are held hostage and captive by BOTH government and criminals.

    Right now - already.

    So my point is only in restoring order to chaos. You have to roll with the punches.

    Sal: "So what JA did was to breach the privacy of gov and reveal that they were conducting themselves criminally. "
    Where did you get this? I didn't mention JA at all in this thread.

    oh yeh there was another thread where i didn't speak kindly of JA -
    and was not in support of his revealing ANY secrets that could jeoprodize OUR SAFETY. period - and thank him for EXPOSING ANY CORRUPTION AT THE SAME TIME.


    I Spy an Energy Ripoff -

    bella prima donna
    sheeza radical

    P.S. Sal your complete post I believe you meant for another thread - because in reading both our posts again - your reply to me is almost like TOTALLY UNRELATED to my little part of the conversation here - would be an appropriate response -- since you are directly addressing me.

    It's fine to disagree of course - as long as you can understand what someone is and isn't saying. so you do not just agree to disagree.

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    • Profile picture of the author Hesaidblissfully
      It's not surprising. If an organization is deemed to be an enemy of the state, and potentially endangering the lives of citizens, then the government uses whatever means at its disposal to try and shut them down, or at least run damage control.
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