From: Mark Newton, 1/7/98
Privacy is a big one -- The right to choose who you will reveal yourself to is very important. At the moment we don't have that right: For example, I have no idea whether the email address I have entered above will end up getting sold to a bulk email company (for that very reason, *nothing*
will convince me that it's good to enter a real, honest-to-god postal address on a web page
merely because the web page asks for it; But that's common sense, innit?). I resent the fact that I
cannot control the dissemation of that personal information -- Even though it parallels the level of
control I have in RealLife, where personal data is routinely sold to the highest bidder.
An important related issue is crypto: Slowly it's becomming evident that Governments *can not*
regulate crypto (and it's been obvious forever that they *should not* regulate it). I want, need, and will
utilize the ability to protect my communications and data from evesdroppers, Government or otherwise,
whenever I see fit. In RealLife I can protect against evesdroppers by having a conversation somewhere
private (reminiscent of spy movies where private conversations are invariably carried out in front of
the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument). I expect to be able to ensure similar levels of privacy if and when I decide I need it for my online interactions. As the crypto nuts say, "Should it
be illegal to speak in a language the Government doesn't understand?"
[see author's response]
From: Raj Rangarajan, 1/7/98
While privacy is a prime concern for Netizens, with due importance for
security, it is imperative that the privilege of free communication is
not abused or misused. While graphic porno materials in the wrong hands
could be damaging to vulnerable minds, we cannot expect to act as Censor, or Gatekeeper
or even Toll collector on the Super Highway that is the Internet.
[see author's response]
