Hearing on Viruses Becomes Debate on Privacy
By JERI CLAUSING
WASHINGTON - A congressional hearing called to explore potential solutions
to computer viruses like the fast-spreading Melissa strain on Thursday
turned into a debate about online privacy and the investigative methods
used to track the computer programmer accused of writing it.
"While I am a little bit concerned about the pernicious effect of viruses,
I am more than a little bit disquieted about the way this investigation was
pursued," Representative Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, said during
the two-hour hearing of the House Science Committee's technology
subcommittee.
"We are so wrapped up with idea of hunting down cyberterrorists that the
walls are chipped out and our privacy rights are steadily eroded," he said.
Weiner said he was particularly troubled by reports that investigators
tracked the Melissa suspect with help from both America Online and a unique
identifying number attached to Microsoft software.
Full story at:
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/04/cyber/articles/16virus.html
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Lynne L. Harrison, Esq. | "The key to life:
Poughkeepsie, New York | - Get up;
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] | - Survive;
http://www.dueprocess.com | - Go to bed."
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DISCLAIMER: I am not your attorney; you are not my client.
Accordingly, the above is *NOT* legal advice.
