Should the government track suspicious online activity?

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:15:56 -0400

http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2015/09/suspicious-activity-files-now-document-instances-creepy-internet-behavior/122414/

Nationwide ‘Suspicious Activity’ Files Now Document Sketchy Online Activity

The post-9/11 counterterrorism surveillance program is now collecting reports of suspicious activity across the Internet.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 2 at 2015 8:23 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:23:36 -0400

It depends on how you consider the word track.

They should not target individuals.

However if a website pops up which is counter to America (not the Government, but America), then it is reasonable to watch it, using Due Process.

As an example, on our Security Questionnaires, it asks "Have you ever been a member of an organization which advocates the VIOLENT overthrow of the United States Government?" If a website such as that appeared, the Government would be well within it's Power to get a warrant to track it, and request to track IPs that visited it frequently, and those who made donations to it.

But... "fishing expeditions" to determine what "suspicious activity" is.... That's a subjective analysis. For example, I read A LOT. I read a lot online, to gain a better understanding of context. It's not that I'm subversive, but if you were to look only at a list of things I read over the course of my life, it might appear that way. Taking that concept "nationwide" is bad precedent, and counter to the intent of the 4a.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jun 6 at 2016 8:44 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:44:42 -0400

Want to keep up-to-date on what the 'gubberment' is doing to spy on you? Check this site out.

https://www.eff.org/

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Defending your rights in the digital world