Libraries Learn How To Protect Patrons From Patriot Act
from the keep-no-records dept
Librarians are getting together to discuss the best ways to protect the privacy of their users without violating the Patriot Act, which lets the government snoop on what people do in libraries. Mostly, librarians say they're making sure that they keep little to no records of anything. They delete internet cache and histories as soon as people log off, and they shred daily records of who checked out what books or who signed up to use a computer. It really makes you wonder what's going on when librarians are being forced to skirt the law, just to let their patrons use their facilities without giving up any privacy.
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Why?
It is not the libraries job to circumvent the law; just abide by it. It is *your* choice if you want to avail yourself of public services, but you cannot reasonably expect the same amount of privacy as if you were at home in your closet. (I understand that there really is not that much more privacy there either...)
The United States is slowly being eaten alive from within.
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Re: Why?
Besides, more information does not mean better information. As far as we know established terrorist protocol is to conduct all exchanges of material information via face-to-face meetings or via blind drops, not via library facilities. Our HSA would better spend it's time securing vulnerable targets rather than pouring over library receipts for Ossama.
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Re: Why?
Beyond collecting information about you (which is bad enough) the big fear is the possible misinterpretation of that information.
You aren't necessarily a terrorist because you read certain book, but someone will likely ASSUME you are eventually when they profile you.
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Re: Why?
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