Hi all, I recently read in an article somewhere (in www), and if my memory is correct, it says something to this meaning, that every internet providers deploy some special software system whereby it monitors your web activities (like sites being visited, googling, etc.) and email transactions (searching for some special keywords in the body-text, subjects etc.). It seems many public sector communication companies (government owned/supported) or corporate companies who provide internet services, records your actions at their web-server. 1) How far this is true or is it just another internet-hoax or rumour? 2) Technically, is it possible for such providers to monitor so? Why because, logically, the cyberspace is so vast-and-wide and how can it be monitored, if they are providing, say, 5000+ connections? 3) I think in some way, maybe it is good to avoid unwanted elements using internet as a mean, but is it a form of cyber-harassing for good civilians when they are being monitored or overwatched constantly? What do you think? Please share your opinions. Thanks anyway, Have a nice day, Regards, Vijay
1+2) im not sure about the law on this but its perfectly possible that ISPs can monitor your activity (whether it be for legal or policy reasons), my guess for the best answer "why they do it" is because they can! police may start an enquiry againsed a user and without logs there is nothing to go by. im assuming the logs will be on a massife storage device in a log file. i know for a fact that most websites will record you (specifically) surfing onto their site, this is also, most likely, for legal reason if they monitor fraudulant or illegal abuse they will have a log of your ip address which is specific to you, and your address (this information can be collected ONLY for legal reasons, usually by internet police or the sort) it cant be collected by the site itself due to DPA issues (its illegal for your isp to give it to anyone) 3) i wouldnt worry about it, isps are owned by the courporation (say AOL or BT) and they do not mess about! - whoever, or however they monitor you, unless you're doing something illegal you do not need to worry. -Personally i wouldnt join an ISP i didnt know, if its a good name (like aol) there is nothing to worry about, infact its better for you that they are monitoring you, but no information about you (or surfing info) will be sent to a third party (unless it says otherwise in the T+Ts) but again, no company can send your personal details without your permission
You should be very careful with language like that, as it suggests that anyone who enjoys there privacy is doing something illegal. First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. If people had always lived in a society where there every action, and reaction, was monitored and recorded in the way that it can be done today... can you honestly say you think things would be the same? For a start, i doubt there would be any homosexuals... I don't remember there rights movement that well (i was only a child) but i seem to remember a lot of opposition from political parties. Don't get me wrong, i have no problem with a government monitoring any individual they have reason to believe is a threat. My problem is with massive untargeted surveillance.
