Internet Tax Ban Efforts Resume
Congress considers several bills barring Net sales taxes, access taxes, and more.
By Kyle Stock
“WASHINGTON–Online shoppers may get a tax break, as members of Congress move to ban taxes on Internet access, taxes on Internet transactions involving several jurisdictions, and discriminatory taxes that treat Internet purchases differently from other types of commerce.”
U.S. to Collect Data on Travelers
“WASHINGTON – The government wants detailed information about every person who comes to or leaves the country by commercial plane or boat, and for the first time will require U.S. citizens to fill out forms detailing their comings and goings.”
“Rules proposed yesterday by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) seek more information from travelers than under current law and extend the requirements to U.S. citizens and others previously exempted. They also include a system to allow quicker cross-checking databases and matching records of arrivals and departures.”
Feds Deny Plan to Monitor Internet
Cybersecurity program, still in draft form, may call for greater surveillance online.
By Scarlet Pruitt
“A representative for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has denied a report that the U.S. government plans to release a proposal requiring ISPs to help build a centralized system designed to monitor Internet use.”
Yes, You Are Being Watched
At home and in the office–and everywhere in between–you could be under legal digital surveillance.
By Stephen Lawson
“If you’re feeling fenced in some day, you may decide to take a trip to your favorite gambling mecca, where anything goes.”
“Before you leave, you may want to tell your friends, and while you’re at it, let them know what you’ve been doing lately. Depending on where you are, and whether what you do sounds suspicious, the government may read that e-mail. “
Data-Mining of Citizens Stalled
Senate asks balance in Total Information Awareness program that cross-references personal data.
By Kyle Stock
“WASHINGTON–The government’s capacity to mine public and private databases for information on citizens has hit the brakes, by vote of the U.S. Senate.”
Critics Say Security Laws Sacrifice Civil Liberties
Homeland Security Act’s guidelines are too loose on the disclosure of online communications, some experts say.
By Paul Roberts
“Civil Libertarians are in a dither again, this time over new disclosure provisions for Internet service providers that are contained within the recently signed Homeland Security Act.”
Would Orwell Feel at Home?
ACLU report claims post-9/11 surveillance technology is alarmingly eroding privacy.
By Scarlet Pruitt
“The Orwellian vision of a ‘surveillance society,’ where the government peeks over everyone’s shoulder and chances to hide are scant, is coming dangerously close to reality, according to a report released by the American Civil Liberties Union this week.”
Senate Blocks Funding for Pentagon Database
By Susan Cornwell
“WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Saying they feared government snooping against ordinary Americans, U.S. senators voted on Thursday to block funding for a Pentagon (news – web sites) computer project that would scour databases for terrorist threats.”
God will get me through, says mother
Nigeria tolerates the Miss World beauty contest and brutal Islamic laws
"AS MORE than 80 young women arrived amid great fanfare in the Nigerian capital to take part in the Miss World contest, an illiterate 31-year-old woman sat in a stark room a few miles away contemplating a very different fate. Amina Lawal has been sentenced to death by stoning."
Rioters burn newspaper office over Miss World
"LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Rioters burned down a newspaper office Wednesday to protest an article suggesting the Prophet Muhammad might have favored marrying a contestant in the Miss World beauty pageant being hosted by Nigeria."
Iranian Scholar Refuses to Appeal
"TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – A university professor sentenced to death for insulting Islam has refused to appeal the sentence, challenging the hard-line judiciary to carry out the execution, his lawyer said Wednesday."
Web Radio Expected to Keep Playing
Last-minute legislation permits negotiated royalty rates for small Webcasters.
By Michelle Madigan
"WASHINGTON — Small Webcasters expect to keep streaming their music, with Congress giving them a break on the royalty rates imposed on online radio stations."