The few public libraries that I have done privacy audits for all use a
proxy server for ALL traffic going out from their public terminals. This
mainly has the role of identifying those terminals for access to the
various online products the libraries have, but it also serves to
protect privacy. The latter role is only fully effective if proxy logs
are "anonymized" and/or purged after a short time, which some libraries
are diligent about, others not so much so.
At the same time, if I go onto UC Berkeley campus and use their
computers, I have to have a log-on which is intended to identify me.
Some universities seem to be very intent on identification of users and
their uses of the system, mainly out of fear of hacking and illegal
activity.
kc
Eric Hellman wrote:
Recent attention to privacy concerns about Google Book Search have led
me to investigate whether any libraries are using tools such as proxy
servers to enhance patron privacy when using Google Book Search.
Similarly, advertising networks (web bugs, for example) could be
proxied for the same reason. I would be very interested to hear from
any libraries that have done either of these things and of their
experiences doing so.
Eric Hellman
President, Gluejar, Inc.
41 Watchung Plaza, #132
Montclair, NJ 07042
USA
e...@hellman.net
http://go-to-hellman.blogspot.com/
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Karen Coyle / Digital Library Consultant
kco...@kcoyle.net http://www.kcoyle.net
ph.: 510-540-7596 skype: kcoylenet
fx.: 510-848-3913
mo.: 510-435-8234
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