Concern Over Proposed Changes in Internet Surveillance
And, as much as that last entry was good news, this entry concerns potentially bad news for privacy, as proposed changes in government Internet surveillance have the potential to target not just terrorists but the net use of average citizens.

U.S. Judges Set Precedent for Workplace Privacy
Some potential good news regarding privacy in the workplace, federal courts agreed to adopt relaxed guidelines for monitoring the Internet use of judges and other employees, a move this ZDNet article suggests could lead to greater privacy protection for workers nationwide.

How the Al Qaeda Cell Structure Works
Some interesting info from the Washington Post on how bin Laden's Al Qaeda cell structure works:

Cells: Al Qaeda is organized on principles of secrecy and security. Its cells are usually small. Members of one cell do not necessarily know members of another. Cells may remain inactive for years, or only engage in peaceful Islamic activities. For terrorist actions, al Qaeda cells are divided into planning and execution entities

Coalition to Congress: Slow Down
Fearing that too many civil liberties may be given up in exchange for stricter security, a new, multi-partisan group plans to urge Congress to be careful when writing new laws. Declan McCullagh of Wired News reports from Washington.

THE END USER Protect Your PC
Here is an article that makes the case that if you have a computer connected to the Internet, you need to install a firewall defense. And, just as an aside, my ZoneAlarm firewall has been extremely active the last few days, more so than usual I mean. Has anyone else noticed an increase in probes?

This is How We Know Echelon Exists
There has been a flood of news articles about the clash between privacy and national security, this is one of them. We must be very careful as a country that we don't sacrifice the virtues of an open, democratic and pluralistic society. These are the virtues that distinguish US from THEM.

U.S. Citizens Back Encryption Controls
Um, no they don't, at least not anyone I know. Encryption controls would not have helped stop the attacks, as the bin Laden cells have beenr revealed to be very lowtek - no cell phone or computers. I've have to check where I read that. Anyway, if the terrorists are seeking to evade being monitored by going lowtek, then the only people who are really restricted by new controls are law abiding citizens. And, if the liberties of citizens are diminished, the terrorists have succeeded in changing our way of life. I, for one, don't want to see them score that victory.