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2007-10-13 Home Front: WoT

Terror suspect says FBI spied on his library computer use

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Posted by tipper 2007-10-13 08:22|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top
File under: al-Qaeda

#1 According to the Library Journal:

U.S. Attorney David Nahmias responded in a statement to the AP that "The FBI's actions were lawful and appropriate as we will demonstrate when we respond to the motion in court," adding that "public libraries are not safe havens for terrorist-related activity."
Many libraries have equipped their computers to automatically clear each users history after a session. Obviously the Chestatee Regional Library in Dawsonville, GA did not have this feature.
The American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom advises librarians, If the agent or officer does not have a court order compelling the production of records, the library director should explain the librarys confidentiality policy and the states confidentiality law, and inform the agent or officer that users' records are not available except when a proper court order in good form has been presented to the library."
Problem here is wasn't necessary to ask the library to produce records. Ahmed left his activity records out in public for anyone to view. How does this differ from, say, a note pad or paper that he had abandoned on the desk or tossed in the waste basket?

Posted by GK 2007-10-13 11:02|| 2007-10-13 11:02|| Front Page Top

#2 I'm impressed. I've been despairing of our competence in finding and arresting terrorists in our country. Sounds like at least one office of the FBI is on the ball. Good job!

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2007-10-13 12:14|| 2007-10-13 12:14|| Front Page Top

#3 Ahmed had the option of clearing his browser's history. By abandoning the computerwith that record intact and available to any new userhe thereby relinquished any right to privacy regarding that information. He might as well have dropped his personal address book on a public sidewalk.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-13 14:03|| 2007-10-13 14:03|| Front Page Top

#4 It does say "PUblic LIbrary right on the front, that means ANYBODY, FBI included, he's a moron.

His lawyer is incompetent, Wiretapping my ass.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2007-10-13 14:18|| 2007-10-13 14:18|| Front Page Top

#5 any right to privacy

I should have used the official legal yardstick, "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy".

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-13 14:54|| 2007-10-13 14:54|| Front Page Top

23:48 Zenster
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