Hawaii's legislature is weighing an unprecedented proposal to curb the privacy of Aloha State residents: requiring Internet providers to keep track of every Web site their customers visit. Its House of Representatives has scheduled a hearing this morning on a new bill (PDF) requiring the creation of virtual dossiers on state residents. The measure, H.B. 2288, says "Internet destination history information" and "subscriber's information" such as name and address must be saved for two years.
H.B. 2288, which was introduced Friday, says the dossiers must include a list of Internet Protocol addresses and domain names visited. Democratic Rep. John Mizuno of Oahu is the lead sponsor; Mizuno also introduced H.B. 2287, a computer crime bill, at the same time last week.
Ok...besides the fact that this adds unnecessary cost, overhead and legal risk to ISP businesses, what is the fucking point? I mean seriously? Does the government now want to keep track of every book you look through at the library or bookstore? Every bottle of shampoo you look at before buying at Wal-Mart? Makes as much goddamn sense. This is beyond disgusting and stupid. It is as pure Big Brother as you can get and will lead to a thought police if enacted.
I am still shocked that someone in this Republic, with a history of freedom can propose such a vile and tyrannical bill and not be run out of the state house on a rail.