The U.S. Patriot Act and the Internet
The U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 has been the watchdog of the country in many ways, one of these ways is in the obligations that are required of the service providers for cable and Internet companies. This has allowed the investigators to trace the activity of suspicious behavior that takes place on the Internet, and it gives them the authority to trap those in which they suspect are responsible for committing criminal acts on line. This may or may not identify the name of one’s company, so one may not be aware that they are under investigation.
However should a company become aware of an ongoing investigation they are permitted by law to seek clarifications in the charges and explanations. The positive features this allows the Internet companies themselves are as follows. It is stated specifically in the terms of the Act that there will be no new requirements created for the companies in regards to mandates on design or technical assistance. This in affect does not give the government the right to dictate the design of the technology, nor to interfere with the methods and modes provided on the technical level.
Secondly the Patriot Act actually expands the protection of the service providers, which includes the use of good faith as a defense should they be under investigation as well as a number of immunities regarding being connected to criminal activities of their customers. It offers this protection in return for compliance of the use of either current mechanisms of surveillance or installing newer surveillance authorities. Aspects of this surveillance include disclosing of records when asked for them, as well as the installation of wiretaps. This also affects the governments access to the installation of such wiretaps when the service providers ask them to become involved. This is done when one is suspected of either hacking, or trespassing on the networks of the service providers.
And thirdly, it makes it perfectly clear that the cable services that provide the Internet, will be required to notify customers of the prospect of government surveillance, however in any instance that does not concern detailed information regarding cable viewing the companies may ask for governments to provide surveillance without the need to notify the customer. This is just one way in which to make the Internet a safer place.
Related posts:
Leave a Reply