Carnivore: Feasting on Web Users

"Carnivore" is the new tool the FBI has that gives them the ability to monitor virtually all aspects of web use. The FBI claims that they use the program only in the event of an investigation, but others are very skeptical of its uses. The FBI must receive permission from the ISP to use information obtained through email, but the problem is, the government doesn't run the Internet. No one owns the Internet, so many web-users are up in arms at the idea of the government monitoring what they do on their computers.

"Carnivore" works by logging the number of keystrokes a person uses. The question is, where do we draw the line between what is public and what is private? "Carnivore" essentially does the same thing as phone-tapping that the government has done for years. "Carnivore" is a phone tap for your computer, and most people think the government has taken it one step too far this time.

The FBI is saying that the government just wants the ability to conduct lawful intercepts of criminals and terrorists, but some say the program goes too far. If it does, "Carnivore" would be a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment, so the program may not be around long. The Fourth Amendment grants citizens prior notice of searches and seizures. EPIC, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, also voiced concerns about the abuses of the "Carnivore" system.

It's already well known that the FBI has had problems managing "Carnivore." When trying to access information for investigations, the program has accidentally brought up information on innocent people who had nothing to do with the investigation. The FBI says those types of problems are uncommon, but the agency still won't reveal how often the program is used or what information has been revealed.

It's evident that the FBI is looking out for the majority interest by using "Carnivore" to protect us from criminals, but most Americans aren't ready to swap privacy for protection. Too many problems seem inivitable with "Carnivore", so it will be intersting to see how long the program stays.

Sources:

*Carnivore Frequently Asked Questions

URL: http://www.robertgraham.com/pubs/carnivore-faq.html

*Judge: FBI must cough up carnivore info

:URL: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-870178.htm

*House Leader wants investigation of 'Carnivore'

URL: http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/06/15/carnivore.investigation.idg/

    

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This page was last updated on June 16, 2002