"For the children," again


CA bill would require technicians to report questionable files on your computer
One of the things I really dislike about liberty blogging is that from time to time I end up "defending" behavior I find personally reprehensible.

Like this.

Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani wants to turn the geek squad into the peek squad.

Galgiani, a Stockton Democrat, has sponsored legislation that would require computer technicians who find child pornography on computers they are servicing to report it to law enforcement.

It is another case of the law catching up with technology: Years ago, would-be child pornographers needed their own darkrooms to develop their film. Now digital technology means anyone can take, process and distribute illegal pictures easily.

California law has required photo shop developers to report child pornography for decades. Galgiani's measure would add computer technicians to the statute.

All right, child porn = bad thing. "We have to do it for the children."

Except look at what this entails.

This bill would require computer technicians to examine the contents of any files on a computer. Without a search warrant. Without police powers. Without accountability.

Today it's child porn.

Tomorrow it could be banking records. After all, the precedent is established. Your bank is already required to report most transactions to the IRS.

Next week it could be political speech.

All without a search warrant and without the protections that you are supposed to have.

What's more, the computer tech has to do it under penalty of law and without any cost to the government.

Neat trick, huh?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Mon - May 7, 2007 at 02:18 PM  Tag


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