Regardless of whatever precautions one might take (encryption, "secure sites," etc.), one has only a very limited expectation of "privacy" when using the Internet.

     You probably are well aware that criminal hackers have the ability to access the hard drive (including "deleted" files) of the typical PC hooked up to a modem, and everyone has heard about the various insidious methods used by corporations, marketing executives, and "information brokers" to keep track of the average person’s spending habits (amongst other things), but what most people are unaware of is that everything they do on the Internet is being monitored.

     Prior to widespread public usage of the Internet (it was originally developed by the Department of Defense in the late 60's), the computer systems of businesses, and most government agencies, were not interconnected in any significant way, and records were generally transferred by either the Postal Service or private courier (and later by FAX), after a formal request had been made (in triplicate). Even a decade ago, if a corporation wanted to keep track of one’s spending habits (or those of a targeted demographic), they would have to rely primarily upon mailing lists (generated by mail-order companies about their customers) or voluntary questionaires (usually required for product warrantees, or accompanied by an offer for "free coupons." Later, supermarket "check cashing cards" were developed (which recorded each of your purchases), and many credit card companies began selling information about their consumers to marketing agencies. Today, however, these companies’ access to information about us has far less restrictions.

     Advances in digital technology enable staggering amounts of information to be stored in a very small area, and if such capabilities exist, rest assured that they will be abused (as history has shown us time and time again).  Every time you access a website, a Computer keeps track of it (along with what files were opened, downloaded, or printed). Every time you send or receive "e-mail," a Computer keeps track of it (as well as the content of the messages). Every time you make a purchase over the Internet (whether from a business, an auction, or a private individual), a Computer keeps track of it. The Computer knows all your passwords, every time you’ve "logged on," every key you’ve ever struck, and exactly how many seconds you’ve been "on line" for any given day. And, of course, every time that a bureaucrat has typed your name, birthdate, or social security number into a terminal, a Computer has accessed it. The typical individual has no secrets from the Computer. The Internet is the biggest wiretap in the world, and like radio transmissions, there are very few legal restrictions upon intercepting information being transmitted through this medium.

     The Computer can produce a complete dossier on the average individual at the press of a button. The operator can learn your medical history, your criminal record, your driving record, reported income, your credit rating, your school grades, your spending habits, your interests, and the names of your friends — and that’s just for starters! Some governments (like Great Britain) make no effort to conceal this fact from their citizens ("it is necessary in order to fight terrorism and track criminal activity"), whereas others (like our own) "can neither confirm nor deny" such allegations. Even private corporations (like "Doubleclick") have similar capabilities, although to a far more limited degree. This is not some kooky "conspiracy theory"— it is an undisputed fact (amongst those who are aware of it).

     Why would anyone want to compile such vast amounts of data on law abiding citizens? Oh, the conspiracy nuts could go on for hours ranting about various "plots" and "patterns," but the truth is that people have accumulated this information simply because they can. Do "they" have sinister motives for doing so? Probably not. Isn’t this invasion of privacy unethical, as well as unlawful? Not as long as it is being done for "legitimate regulatory purposes." Should you be terrified at the potential for abuse? It would be counter-productive to worry excessively about something that you have no control over. It is a simple fact of life — deal with it.

     As long as you are a decent law-abiding citizen, people will not be singling you out for any sort of intensive scrutiny — such unrealistic scenarios are only mulled over by the loonies in the tinfoil hats. However, certain irregularities (like repeatedly accessing "subversive" websites which have been "red flagged" for one reason or another) may cause a few computer generated comments to be inserted into your "permanent record." Unless you’re a criminal, a terrorist, or a predatory degenerate, you probably have nothing to worry about — the sentinels have more than enough work to do, and wouldn’t even bother checking up on someone simply because they clicked on a few questionable sites out of morbid curiosity. However, if they ever had a legitimate reason to take an interest in your activities, they would only need to press a few buttons to access a dossier with a complete history of everything you’ve ever done on the World Wide Web (indeed, virtually every key you’ve ever struck).

     It is not our intent to frighten you, or make you distrustful of your government (this is hardly an unusual situation — every government with the capabilities to do so keeps tabs on their citizens, to varying degrees — computer technology just makes it easier), but you should be aware that whatever you do on your computer can be (and has been) accessed (and recorded) by others. Once you are aware of this fact, you can use a little common sense and take precautions about what information you make available to others in the future.