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Higher Education Fears Wiretapping Law

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the don't-we-all dept.

alphadogg writes "Institutions of higher education are up in arms over an FCC ruling on wiretapping they say could cost them billions of dollars in upgrades, expose their networks to more attacks, and jeopardize rights to privacy and freedom of speech. "

5 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. Why do colleges by Valar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    hate our freedom?

    Could the answer be 'They have history departments'?

    --

    ====
    Crudely Drawn Games
  2. Civil liberties? Pfft. by koreth · · Score: 5, Funny

    Remember, if it stops just one terrorist, it's all worth it!

    1. Re:Civil liberties? Pfft. by voice_of_all_reason · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That is why you're not supposed to let people with an emotional interest have any say in an important decision.

  3. Concerns are interesting... by Marnhinn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I find it interesting about the things the universities are concerned with. It might just be the article, but it seems the main concern is the cost of the venture est. 400 - 500 dollars a student. The next concern is hackers and the last one is freedom of speech / stifling of research.

    I would think that the universities would be worried more about the free speech implications rather than the cost... I don't think the cost issue will hold up in court that well - but free speech (hopefully would).

    The only other thing is that the article mentions that a negative ruleing, could force even labtops on campus to be CALEA compliant. Since I'm a student at a university that requires students going into certain majors to have a labtop (to use and plug into the campus network) - I'm wondering if that means that we as students would have to modify our personal labtops (cause they interact with the campus network).

    Sadly I bet the universities will compromise on this issue - rather than go to court.

    --
    There is always a frontier where there is an open and willing mind
    1. Re:Concerns are interesting... by OctoberSky · · Score: 5, Interesting

      While I agree with you for the most part (and entirely as a "freedom loving hippie") I have to point out some things.

      People, it seems, don't care about their freedom as much as they care about thier bank accounts. The threat of a possible Government operation taking place on campus doesn't scare too many people, but the threat of another $500 going towards the already high tuition costs does scare them.
      Most people don't understand that they are losing their liberties, liberties protected by the Constitution. These people feel that the government is going after Terrorist and Bad People and would never infringe upon the rights on Ma and Pa America. They don't care wheter or not you can burn a flag or say Bush is a complete cunt. They don't care if Apu Nahasapeemapetilon gets shipped to some camp in Cuba and no one ever knows. They don't care because they don't think it matters to Ma and Pa America.

      But,these people do care about that $500 that could go to something else, something more important than freedom, something special like thier SUVs gas bill. And the worst part..... these people Vote!

      The Universities are smart in going about this as it costing too much. Seven Billion dollars (thats $7,000,000,000) is nothing to laugh at. They realize people will get pissed off at College costing more. The Universities realize they will get more people mad about this by playing the Money Card then they probably ever could by playing the Freedom Card.

      I may be completely off base, but my years of doing the budget for my office tell me one thing... money talks.