Internet Privacy is an Oxymoron

There is no privacy on the Internet.

   Building physical walls to control the movement of people is bad enough. Building information walls to control communication is much harder, and far more dangerous.
   But which is more dangerous, stifling communication entirely or monitoring all communication so that people lose their privacy? Is one the first step toward the other?
   Internet service providers routinely monitor the browsing habits of computer uses so they can tailor advertising to match customers interests. Normally, this done "in house," and companies cannot sell that browsing history to others without your permission.
   However, there is a move afoot in Washington to overturn that ruling. Sen. Bob Casey, D-PA, in a message to constituents, noted that "Americans have a reasonable expectation that their online browsing history will stay private."
   Telephone conversations cannot be monitored unless investigators first obtain permission from a court. Likewise, letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service should not be tracked, much less opened and read, without a legal warrant.
   Internet browsing patterns are typically tracked by corporate computers, so that providers can tailor advertising to computer users' interests.
   But just as Internet providers can monitor key phrases in browsing patterns, it's just as easy to monitor email messages.
   In turn, if corporations can monitor what you write so they can send advertising your way, it's equally possible for government monitors or law enforcement to read those same messages, if they buy them from Internet providers.
   Big Brother would be pleased.