Campus emails, phones open to FCC

[FreedomAngel82]

Privacy is long gone from America it seems. :(

Link: http://www.studentprintz.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/16/43f509c903d10?in_archive=1

Snip: <

By David McRaney

February 16, 2006
USM's Chief Information Officer said all campus emails and voice-over-Internet Provider phone conversations may be open to monitoring by the FCC as soon as February 2007 at what could be a considerable monetary cost to students.

USM CIO Homer Coffman said earlier this week USM is expected to comply with a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking handed down by the Federal Communication Commission that requires all college campuses to standardize their equipment and procedures so lawful surveillance can occur.

“In general terms, they want the ability to sit in Washington D.C. and wiretap anybody in our networks without anyone knowing it,” said Coffman. “It wouldn't require them to get a subpoena, and we would never know someone was in there.” >

More at the link....

[rodeodance]

1. what the heck is going on?

[rodeodance]

2. The issue is not likely to go unnoticed by faculty,

The issue is not likely to go unnoticed by faculty, and some have already expressed opposition.

“I think is a very serious issue,” said Bob Press, assistant professor of political science at USM. “I don't think we should accept surveillance of students and faculty. It tends to go against the First Amendment.”

Press added he believes there are many open questions as to who is going to be deciding what is worth listening to and intends to bring the issue up at Friday's Faculty Senate meeting.

“I think this is an issue that will probably end up in Congress and the courts,” he said. “I don't think we should sit idly by and let it happen.

[seabeyond]

3. please... dont sit idly by and let it happen n/t