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US Official Urges Americans To Reconsider Privacy

Privacy no longer can mean anonymity, says Donald Kerr, a deputy director of national intelligence. Instead, it should mean that government and businesses properly safeguards people's private communications and financial information. "Protecting anonymity isn't a fight that can be won. Anyone that's typed in their name on Google understands that," said Kerr. Kurt Opsahl of the EFF said Kerr ignores the distinction between sacrificing protection from an intrusive government and voluntarily disclosing information in exchange for a service. "There is something fundamentally different from the government having information about you than private parties. We shouldn't have to give people the choice between taking advantage of modern communication tools and sacrificing their privacy." Kerr's comments come as Congress is taking a second look at the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act, requiring a court order for surveillance on U.S. soil. The White House argued that the law was obstructing intelligence gathering.

2 of 515 comments (clear)

  1. Re:first fisting post! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    This isnt off-topic. Its a metaphor for what the government wants to do to its people. They even want you to bend over and say "Yes please"

  2. Is It January 20th, 2009, Yet? by NeverVotedBush · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    God, will it ever get here?

    The Bush administration is systematically perverting the American Constitution.

    I swear I would vote for anyone that said they would restore and enforce the Constitution, who would prosecute those who have subverted and raped it, and who would roll back the stoled powers of the Executive branch.

    Even better, if they would turn the current system of campaign contributions by corporations into treasonous acts and punish all involved in the harshest possible manner.

    We have the finest government money can buy. And that sucks.