Fwd: Dept. of Homeland Security & AOL- An Unholy Alliance

[Guest guest]

This does not surprise me at all. It's outrageous, but not surprising.

--

In a message dated 10/14/2005 5:18:04 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

Shirl4116 writes:

 

http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1902.htm#002

 

 

DHS and AOL: An Unholy Alliance

 

October 3, 2005

by Martin McKinney

The Financial Reporter (U.K.)

 

Washington- The American-based internet giant, AOL, wholly-owned by

Time-Warner, has formed a working partnership with the U.S. Department

of Homeland Security to permit unlimited surveillance of the millions

of AOL online members, according to a report from the U.S. Department

of Commerce.

 

" AOL works `closely with the DHS' to supply information on any AOL

customer and allows agents from these entities `free and unfettered'

access to AOL Hq at Dulles, VA for the purpose of `watching over and

keeping surveillance ' on the millions of AOL customers,' according

to the report.

 

The legal basis for this is the recently Congress-approved Patriot Act

which permits warrantless searches of persons and property. While

information gleaned from delving into personal computer messages is

supposed to be kept confidential, it appears that the DHS has exceeded

their brief and obtained what appears to be strictly personal

information which is then circulated to entities outside the DHS.

 

The Department of Commerce report also states that news of this

surveillance has leaked out and is causing serious concern in the

American, and European, business communities who are fearful that

trade secrets may be given to other business entities, considered as

" friendly " to the Bush Administration.

 

 

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

peace. "

Jimi Hendrix