San Francisco: GOOG/Earthlink WiFi project runs into ACLU concerns
By Tom Foremski - February 10, 2007
The San Francisco WiFi deal with Google and Earthlink has run into more problems: (Hat tip Kimo Crossman)
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/aclu-puts-heat-on-earthlink-and-google-in-san-fran/2007-02-08
ACLU puts heat on Earthlink and Google in San Fran
February 8, 2007 · In: Wi-Fi | Wireless Regulation
As if Earthlink and Google aren't getting enough heat over their muni-WiFi project in San Francisco. The ACLU of Northern California told the city's Board of Supervisors that its contract with Earthlink and Google doesn't have enough privacy and speech protections when it comes to the information Earthlink and Google will collect and share about end users. The contract doesn't have any limits on what kind of information Earthlink will collect, while the terms for Google call for requiring "minimal" information on login without defining what minimal means. The ACLU also said customers should be able to opt in or out of any service that collects data on what they look at on the Internet, and no provisions exist.
For more about the ACLU's concerns in San Francisco:
- read this article from InfoWorld----
More here from WebProNews, and here from Light Reading.
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Comments (2)
You know. If people are that concerned, don't sign up. This is taking privacy a bit too far. I would be concerned if there was free wi-fi and no methodology to track someone. I would think that Homeland Security would also be a little concerned.
Posted: February 10, 2007 7:27 PM
@Corey Smith
Read the 6 page letter from ACLU here (PDF)
http://tinyurl.com/2q7ef8
They point out that it is the poor and undocumented workers that can't pay for access and have to use the free service and therefore give up their privacy.
Listen your checkout records at the library are protected - why shouldn't your surfing habits which is much more intrusive.
Posted: February 10, 2007 9:33 PM