Worst idea of the week: force wireless providers to log ALL text messages
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57575039-38/cops-u.s-law-should-require-logs-of-your-text-messages/The law enforcement proposal would require wireless providers to record and store customers' SMS messages -- a controversial idea akin to requiring them to surreptitiously record audio of their customers' phone calls -- in case police decide to obtain them at some point in the future.
"Billions of texts are sent every day, and some surely contain key evidence about criminal activity," Richard Littlehale from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will tell Congress, according to a copy (PDF) of his prepared remarks. "In some cases, this means that critical evidence is lost. Text messaging often plays a big role in investigations related to domestic violence, stalking, menacing, drug trafficking, and weapons trafficking."
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You left out who is really pushing this, despite the sexy, scarey headline used to sell the con to Congress and consumers:
Cops: U.S. law should require logs of your text messages
Silicon Valley firms and privacy groups want Congress to update a 1986-era electronic privacy law. But if a law enforcement idea set to be presented today gets attached, support for the popular proposal would erode.
House subcommittee chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (center) will preside over today's hearing to discuss updating a 1986 privacy law. A proposal backed by Google, Apple, Twitter, Facebook, and other companies is scheduled to be discussed along with law enforcement-backed proposals.
They want to sell that data, the LE aspect is the sales job for something they've been doing for years.
The giving it to cops to solve crimes is an excuse for another set of contracts communication and social networking sites want to make. Follow the money. It's always made out to be something good, like every damn war and privatization scheme proposed.
The Stuebenville case is the news story they're using to get approval for a plan which has likely been in the works for a long time, and they were looking for sufficient outrage to put this in order. The Patriot Act was huge, written up before 9/11. Most of these bills are.
Very likely, they already got their lawyers to draft the bill all ready to be signed. A few stories to garner public consent, and waa-lah, our problem will be solved by paying these sharks.
Looks like another side of ISPs recording every single keystroke, as usual. It all sucks, but it's all voluntary on our part. People will take the risk because they love using the stuff.
Yes, I'm cynical and don't blame just one group for this.
We as citizens can contact and raise hell, perhaps mitigate this, but it's just another corporate giveaway, not black helicopters coming. Until we grasp that, we're just exchanging one sexy fear for another, they'll use anything for money.
The other thing we can do is not use the services. Most people accept the risk. We know corporations are being sold our web searches to sell us stuff. That is our part - the problem is, that those who care about privacy aren't the main users of social sites and communications.
And wireless is the electronic equivalent of going down the street with a bullhorn telling everyone what you think and do. We know this. Many don't care. JMHO.
