The FBI Has Bugged Our Public Libraries

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Richard Forno <rforno () infowarrior org>
Date: Tue, 05 Nov 2002 16:40:41 -0500
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: The FBI Has Bugged Our Public Libraries


The FBI Has Bugged Our Public Libraries
November 3, 2002
http://www.ctnow.com/features/lifestyle/hc-privacy1103.artnov03col.story

Some reports say the FBI is snooping in the libraries. Is that really
happening?

Yes. I have uncovered information that persuades me that the Federal Bureau
of Investigation has bugged the computers at the Hartford Public Library.
And it's probable that other libraries around the state have also been
bugged. It's an effort by the FBI to obtain leads that it believes may lead
them to terrorists.

Many members of the public regularly use computers in libraries to access
the Internet for research purposes or to locate information about particular
interests. It's also not uncommon for students and others to communicate
with friends and relatives through e-mail from there.

The FBI system apparently involves the installation of special software on
the computers that lets the FBI copy a person's use of the Internet and
their e-mail messages. (Don't ask me how I know about this because I can't
reveal how I was able to collect the information.) Members of the public who
use the library have not been informed that the government is watching their
activities. It's not just the computers. Circulation lists that show which
books someone borrowed are also accessible to the government.

What are the Hartford librarians saying?

"I can't disclose that we were presented with anything," said Louise
Blalock, Hartford's head librarian.

I asked Mary W. Billings, the library's technical services manager, if the
FBI had given her a subpoena or a court order for library information. Her
response: "I cannot answer that question."

<snip>

http://www.ctnow.com/features/lifestyle/hc-privacy1103.artnov03col.story


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