Why ISP’s Spy on You

While using the internet some of your most personal and sensitive information is sent across an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network..

This click stream data includes:

• every URL you visit
• search terms you enter in URLs
• URLs from search engines you enter

I recently discovered that government(US) standards now require that ISPs equip their networks to keep a record(s) of real-time surveillance of a target's e-mails, VOIP calls and internet usage -- as well as data like IP address assignment and web URLs.

ISP’s known* to keep your records of your internet usage:

• Comcast
• EarthLink
• Verizon
• Time Warner
• AOL AT&T
• Cox

Most law enforcement officials have decided that keeping ISP records are necessary to prosecute for computer crimes such as:

• trading in child pornography
• music piracy
• anonymous posters who write unflattering comments in stock-trading boards

Do you believe that it is necessary to keep a record of your internet activities? Why or Why not?

Source: Wired