Friday, February 03, 2006

Privacy, Thy Name is Illusion

Official WAP techgeeknewsspotter passes along the following, more than slightly disturbing, bit:
Google's recent legal spat with the U.S. Department of Justice highlights not only what information search engines record about us but also the shortcomings in a federal law that's supposed to protect online privacy.

It's only a matter of time before other attorneys realize that a person's entire search history is available for the asking, and the subpoenas begin to fly. This could happen in civil lawsuits or criminal prosecutions.
I'm surprised that enterprising lawyers haven't thought of this before. For example, in a "hostile work environment" sexual harrassment case, do you think the plaintiff will not try to subpoena search records from the businesses IP addresses to show that the naughty boys have been watching pr0n at work?

Pooh now has the willies, read the whole thing.

4 comments:

Icepick said...

I've been saying there's no such thing as privacy. This is just one aspect of a larger trend. In a few decades people may well insist that no one be allowed to keep anything private. Mandatory glas houses for everyone.

Frankie said...

Uh oh. I am so perverted. I am totally fu#%ed.

Oh wait. I am unemployed. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find more donkey pr0n.

Pooh said...

Beware the Manimals.

Icepick said...

Donkey's? Yuck! Call me speciest, but I prefer both zebras and horses.