How do you feel about individuals or groups eavesdropping on your computer surfing etc?

Question

How do you feel about individuals or groups eavesdropping on your computer surfing etc?

How do you feel about someone online convincing you to do stuff over the internet that they might hold against you at some future date?

An individual or group of individuals may be public, private or governmental with or without sanction by their own authorities.

One reason I ask this is that I get the impression that someone may have access to what I look at or post on the internet past, present or future. So at any time; past, present or future, someone could look up what I had on my monitor and pass judgement in their own mind whether actually qualified to do so or not. This potentially means being reminded about something that I might have wanted to keep to myself and not bother anyone with it. It is one thing if God is looking over my shoulder, but when it is other human beings I feel cause to be concerned.

Answer 1

Well unfortunately American society has allowed and accepted that your surfing is open to review of: your employer or your service provider. It is not uncommon that someone in your family or with access to your PC/network can also collect this data. Personally I think it goes against everything the Internet was meant to be. To collect data out of curiosity or a small fetish should be at your leisure without fear of disclosure or penalty. If you want to look at naked German clowns, you should be able to privately and anonymously. The idea that ideas and images are something we should observer and archive on other is dangerous and breeds fear and repressed emotion. As someone who has reported on others web surfing (which lead to the loss of their jobs) it has always sickened me to do so. BUT, you should always keep in mind that using a work PC and network is part of their property and control, not yours. I don't see it changing anytime soon, but the web should be free and forgetfull.

Answer 2

I believe we have a right to view anything we want on the internet or anywhere to satisfy curosity or seek answers. Once we go beyond a thresh hold where common decency is breached then there needs to be a way for us to be rescued, not punished. That this may not be the stated intention of those who would spy on our lives for just record keeping would be the only drawback. We are a community with needs for defenses and protections and without such we will all suffer, mostly needlessly.

Answer 3

The Internet is a free largely open environment. This is the exact reason it is so widely used and accepted. With this open environment comes certain drawbacks. One of them is the possibility that someone is observing what you are doing on the Internet. The bottom line is if it is a deep dark secret, don't put it on the Internet.

Answer 4

I'd say they would be REALLY BORED!!
I don't do anything exciting...and certainly nothing wrong. If the American Government decides I am a threat they will soon find out just how ordinary I am.
BTW I still don't agree with the government bulldozing my rights as an American.

Answer 5

Oh, the Bush administration? I don't think we really have a say in that. Bush pretty much does what he wants around here.

Answer 6

I'll make it short. I dont like it. We should not hve to put up with it and whty it is allowed to go on beats the hell put of my pea picken mind. I like my privacy.

Answer 7

It's the american way.