coffee.geek.nz

This week I've seen a series of blog posts on my rss reader, in variations of the same theme. The idea that if you don't want your private data shared with everyone that you shouldn't put it in the internet, not even in private space. They claim that facebook and/or google should be able to do what ever they want with your information because you gave it to them.

It doesn't seem to matter if the data was in a private communication from one person to another - it doesn't matter if you deliberately restricted access to that information / profile, according to the rules at the time of data entering. Some people believe it's fine for the website you sent the data through to open this data up later to the public. (and people developing facebook application are the public. anyone, in theory, can build one, and anyone of my ditsy cousins can add the application.).

This opinions seems to come from a position of security. From people who don't have any reason to fear for their safety, or their standing in the community, if their private communications are suddenly made public.

The examples they give are all wrong too - people are postulating that those wanting privacy are merely wanting to hide their own "slagging off" of something else, their rants and bitchings about other people.

Can your ISP look at your internet traffic??

And if an ISP cannot legally look at your traffic, how can they ever be sure or the merits of even one accusation?

(Credit to pruby for alerting me to this section of the crimes act)

Crimes Act Part 9A Crimes against personal privacy

216B

Prohibition on use of interception devices

(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (5), every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years who intentionally intercepts any private communication by means of an interception device.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the person intercepting the private communication—
(a) Is a party to that private communication; or
(b) Does so pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, any authority conferred on him or her by or under—
(i) Part 11A of this Act; or
(ii) [Repealed]
(iii) The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969; or
(iiia) the Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003; or
(iv) The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1978; or
(v) The International Terrorism (Emergency Powers) Act 1987.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the interception by any member of the Police of a private communication by means of an interception device where—