This page is for CS38 and C65 students to use during the privacy and the Internet unit, Spring Semester, 1997. The links on this page provide background information which you will find useful for the lecture and discussions.
The first part of this unit is to read through some of the material listed on this site. The only required reading is Richard Stallman's story listed below. For the remainder of the reading you should plan to spend at least two hours reading through the material that you find most interesting or pertinent to privacy and the Internet.
There is also a written assignment for this unit described at the bottom of this page.
A good source of information from a non-profit group that works to protect free speech and privacy on the Internet. Check-out Recent News links for current information.
Current National Legislative Issues from the EFF are here.
Etrust is a joint effort of the EFF and industry representatives to set WWW standards for notification and certification of web site privacy and information-gathering practices. (July 10) The new PICS-compatible standard calls for graphic symbols depicting site policies on collection of personally-identifiable information, and use of that information, backed up by an auditing & certification process, to protect the consumer.
The EFF's Privacy, Security, Cryptography and Surveillance archive.
From their home-page:
"CPSR is a public-interest alliance of computer scientists and others interested in the impact of computer technology on society. As technical experts, CPSR members provide the public and policymakers with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and limitations of computer technology. As concerned citizens, we direct public attention to critical choices concerning the applications of computing and how those choices affect society."
This site contains a wealth of information, in particular look at some of the materials in their privacy archive.
Steve Talbott, a senior editor at O'Reilly & Associates, produces this eclectic newsletter about the relationship between technology and humanity about once a week. Talbott, the author of _The Future Does Not Compute: Transcending the Machines in Our Midst_, writes much of this newsletter, but others also contribute.
There is an extensive subject index of past issues, this link is to the section on privacy and security.
Richard Stallman's "The Right to Read" from the February, 1997 issue of Communications of the ACM. Unfortuneately it's not online but Wildman has the issue on reserve and there are two copies in the Math/CS lounge. Please don't remove them from there.
Some examples of privacy in action, or inaction, on the Internet:
N.B. This assignment is for both CS38 and CS65 students!
The assignment for this unit is to research what legislative bills or court decisions have occured in your home state or country within the past year or two which apply to privacy and the Internet.
If there aren't any (check with me if you think that's the case after you have done some research) then pick a nearby locale that does have some activity in this area. Unfortuneately Indiana seems to be one of the states with little happening.
When you have identified these issues write a short synopsis of each, I don't imagine the this part to be more than a page or so. For the second part I would like you to explain and defend your views on privacy and the Internet. This section should be at least one page in length.
Although somewhat dated the EFF has a summary of such activity available on-line. You should also check any newspapers or government sites that cover the area you are considering.