Found this over on /. this morning, I just wonder what will the goverment get up to with their new extended computer snooping powers!
According to a Wired News article, the Justice Department is already using its new powers under the USA Patriot Act to obtain subscribers" identities and other information from cable operators without judicial oversight under Section 211 of the new legislation.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff has said that the act has allowed police to obtain IP addresses of cable subscribers and has enabled DOJ to obtain court orders for ISP logs outside a court"s traditional jurisdiction.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has convened hearings to review the impact of the Bush administration"s actions on civil liberties, but A.G. Ashcroft is not scheduled to appear until December 6.
One wonders what effect the upcoming cable failure of @home will have on government surveilance of the potentially criminal citizenry.
Uniting and Strengthening America Act by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001