Big Brother is watching you By Staff Editorial/Independent Florida Alligator Tribune Media Services      (U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. — From the is-this-a-scene-from-an-Orwell-novel file, a Congressional report released Monday said 64 federal Web sites have used files that allow them to track the browsing and buying habits of Internet users who have gone to the sites.      Right now, it’s unknown how big this has gotten, but to give you an idea, NASA says it does not know how many Web sites it operates, so officials don’t know how many of their Web sites might be gathering the information. However, the report did say a government contractor was given all the information collected from one particular Web site.      In other words, the federal government now has ways to actually track what you are doing on the Internet, breaking a privacy policy that says they are not allowed to do so.      Of course the act of invading people’s privacy via the Internet is not exactly new. People have been able to do that for years and have been doing so with some regularity, but the fact the federal government is doing it is disconcerting to us.      It’s one thing for some stranger with a powerful computer and some time on his hands to know what you are doing on the Internet, but it’s quite another for the federal government to be poking its nose in the private business of its citizens.      The privacy issues here are huge. The Jupiter Media Metrix, which tracks Internet usage, estimates 3.5 million Internet users went to NASA’s Web site in March, and 2.2 million people visited the U.S. Department of Education site.      If the people who went to those sites are being tracked, the implications here are quite ominous. It is imperative that the Bush administration takes steps to combat this problem. It must fill a position created by the Clinton administration that forces federal agencies to adhere to privacy guidelines.      A government should not be allowed to spy on its own people. So, what do YOU think? Letters to The Columbia Chronicle can be sent to us by filling out this form. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Commentary: It's a grand old flag, y'all Televising of McVeigh execution reeks of the past Big Brother is watching you Cheating is professors' not students' fault Photo Poll Letters to the Chronicle Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site