http://www.internetwk.com/breakingNews/INW20021220S0007 Report: Bush Administration Plans Mandatory Government Internet Monitoring
By Mitch Wagner
The Bush administration plans to propose requiring Internet service providers to help build a centralized system for monitoring the Internet, the New York Times reported today.
The proposal is part of a final version of a report, "The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace," to be released early next year, prepared by the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, the Times reported.
The administration is attempting to foster public and private cooperation to regulate and defend national computer networks, not only from everyday hazards like viruses but form terrorist attack. Ultimately, the report is designed to provide an Internet strategy for the new Department of Homeland Security.
The proposal would be subject to Congressional and regulatory approval, the Times reported.
A centralized Internet monitoring facility and regulation of Internet service providers would be difficult because the Internet has thousands of ISPs, from garage operations to giant corporations like America Online, AT&T, Microsoft and WorldCom.
The system is deigned to provide early warning of Internet attacks. The current, fragmented nature of the Internet means that the Internet responds slowly to defend itself against attacks.
Observers were concerned that the system would cross the line between broad monitoring and privacy-violating wiretaps. One critic compared the system to Carnivore, the Internet spying system used by the FBI.
Brian Roehrkasse, spokesman for the Homeland Security office, said he could not comment on the reports except to deny one element: "There is no proposal in place to monitor individuals on the Internet," he said.
