ISP Snooping

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Description:

Internet Service Provider (ISP) snooping refers to proposed mandatory requirements to retain records of everything citizens do online. Archives of each individual’s online activities would be automatically retained for law enforcement in logs that would span up to two years. Only the oldest records would be purged at the end of the retainment period, while new online activities would continuously build the archives. The proposed requirement, known as data retention, is a controversial measure that opens the door to a host of concerns for ISPs and privacy advocates alike.

Enablers:

• Terrorism
• Control of Technology
• Control of the Internet
• Data Warehousing
• Global Terrorism
• War on terror

Inhibitors:

• public opposition
• high costs
• opposition from ISPs
• users can encrypt data

Experts:

Duncan Campbell

a journalist world renowned for his work on the Echelon satellite surveillance network

Wayne Madsen

of the US Electronic Privacy Information Centre

Tony Bunyan

from the UK Statewatch Web site

Timing:

1994

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.

June 2005

Justice Department officials quietly propose data retention rules.

December 2005

European Parliament votes for data retention of up to two years.

April 14, 2006

Data retention proposals surface in Colorado and the U.S. Congress.

April 20, 2006

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says data retention "must be addressed."

April 28, 2006

Democrat proposes data retention amendment, followed by a Republican.

May 26, 2006

Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller pressure Internet and telecom companies.

September 26, 2006

Politicians suggest that Web hosts and registrars might have to comply. Search engines are also mentioned.

January 18, 2007

Gonzales says administration will ask Congress for new laws.

February 6, 2007

Republicans introduce mandatory data retention "Safety Act."

Web Resources:

• Justice Department takes aim at image-sharing sites
• ISP snooping gaining support