October 24, 2005

Universities Protest Plan to Change Online Systems to Allow Government Monitoring

The federal government, vastly extending the reach of an 11-year-old law, is requiring hundreds of universities, online communications companies and cities to overhaul their Internet computer networks to make it easier for law enforcement authorities to monitor e-mail and other online communications. The action has unleashed protests and the threat of lawsuits from universities, which argue that it will cost them at least $7 billion while doing little to apprehend lawbreakers. Because the government would have to win court orders before undertaking surveillance, the universities are not raising
civil liberties issues.

Colleges Protest Call to Upgrade Online Systems, New York Times, October 23, 2005.