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FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

zdnet.com

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Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#31

Post by c0mpute »

nab wrote: post #23
c0mpute wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference as far as I can see is that as a startup would I be granted access to all the data? AFAIK facebook terms say I cannot scrape the information and in the past they had forced a hacker to delete the database that was collected by scraping this info. This sets a dangerous precedent. By letting a government authority to oversee the activity, even if considered public, is still personal. Its a step closer to…

What in the article suggests that these social networking sites are relaxing their terms for the FBI?

Correct, there is no indication of that. I would be really happy to see if Facebook/twitter reject FBI's request. I was just hypothesizing that in the event that FBI is granted scrapping access, they should give similar access to other bots (or even Google to download contacts?). The ideal situation would be that FBI is not granted access.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#32

Post by c0mpute »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #24
c0mpute wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference as far as I can see is that as a startup would I be granted access to all the data? AFAIK facebook terms say I cannot scrape the information and in the past they had forced a hacker to delete the database that was collected by scraping this info. This sets a dangerous precedent. By letting a government authority to oversee the activity, even if considered public, is still personal. Its a step closer to…

The terms restrict scraping without permission . I'm pretty sure that the FBI would be able to find a way to get Fb's permission. And for good reason. Again, it's public information. No harm done.

It is fine as long as other companies/startups are granted such access. The problem here is if FBI can wield a bigger power in getting this access, we have a problem. Not so much with the data itself, but the spirit of how someone with power can get their way.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#33

Post by 16s »

nostromo wrote: post #19

I'm more interested in seeing what they end up paying for this software when it's built. I'm sure the right couple of geeks from HN could do it in a few months for fairly little; I'm sure the FBI will end up paying many millions. The FBI would be smart to learn from DARPA and take a prize approach on projects like this. "First company that builds X to our satisfaction will get $1mm." I imagine it'd save them a ton.

They don't care how much it costs. US tax payers will pay for it.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#35

Post by krigath »

publicus wrote: post #13

P2P social network is the future

We all act as peers in a large social structure in the current world. I have heard about the idea of P2P social networks several times. However, the trend seem to be going in the opposite direction: Look at the cloud.

I would think the majority of Facebook users would not see the need for having an always-on server in their own home hosting their social network, and therefore have a hard time imagining that "P2P social [networking] is the future". They would either have to have this in their own home, or rented from some company, costing money, and, once again, centralising information.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#37

Post by rickmb »

cheald wrote: post #8

Someone else raised this point elsewhere but...so what? Monitoring public information is their job. I'd be disappointed if they weren't monitoring those services. If you post public information, it's publicly consumable, including by government intelligence services. If you have a problem with that, consider that the issue might be your choice to post information publicly that you don't want the FBI to see, rather th…

Let's translate this to the real world shall we: the FBI will monitor all conversations taking place in schools, offices and public transport.

Congratulations: you are now living in a police state.

"Seeing it" because it's public and "monitoring" it systematically are two very different things.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#38

Post by JumpCrisscross »

c0mpute wrote: post #32
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The terms restrict scraping without permission . I'm pretty sure that the FBI would be able to find a way to get Fb's permission. And for good reason. Again, it's public information. No harm done.

It is fine as long as other companies/startups are granted such access. The problem here is if FBI can wield a bigger power in getting this access, we have a problem. Not so much with the data itself, but the spirit of how someone with power can get their way.

Isn't that sort of the definition of power? The ability to influence more than others? Reputation and relative influence are zero-sum games.

Re: FBI to monitor Facebook, Twitter, Myspace

#39

Post by cheald »

rickmb wrote: post #37
cheald wrote: post #8

Someone else raised this point elsewhere but...so what? Monitoring public information is their job. I'd be disappointed if they weren't monitoring those services. If you post public information, it's publicly consumable, including by government intelligence services. If you have a problem with that, consider that the issue might be your choice to post information publicly that you don't want the FBI to see, rather th…

Let's translate this to the real world shall we: the FBI will monitor all conversations taking place in schools, offices and public transport. Congratulations: you are now living in a police state. "Seeing it" because it's public and "monitoring" it systematically are two very different things.

I think there's a slight difference in that you have an expectation of ephemerality in real-world conversations that you do not (or at least, should not) with Facebook et al.

This isn't like the FBI setting up surveillance equipment to capture and monitor conversations; it's like the FBI asking to look at the tapes that people are already gleefully making and leaving around in public bins for others to pick up and watch.

I get the reasoning - and honestly, it was my first instinct on the news as well - but I don't think it's a direct analog.

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