Australian gov't wants ISPs to record user's web browsing history and email contacts

Wow. The EU passed a data retention requirement that the Aussies are allegedly modeling theirs on, but the Australian solution goes far beyond what the EU is doing, including potentially requiring record retention for 5-10 YEARS.

The EU regime requires that the communications providers from certain EU member states retain necessary data as specified in the Directive for a period of between six and 24 months.

One internet service provider (ISP) source told ZDNet Australia that the Australian regime, if implemented, could go as far as recording each URL a customer visited and all emails.

That source said such a regime "would be scary and very expensive".

Another industry source said Australians should "be very f***ing afraid".

They said the regime being considered by the Australian Government could see data held for much longer than EU Directive time of 24 months — it would be more like five or ten years.

"They seem quite intent [on implementing the regime] and they keep throwing up the words 'terrorism' and 'paedophiles'," the source said. "We're talking browsing history and emails, way beyond what I would consider to be normal SMS, retaining full browsing history and everything."

Ah, yes. "Why don't you love our country?" and "Won't anyone think of the children!"

http://delimiter.com.au/2010/06/11/govt-may-record-users-web-history-email-data/

http://www.zdnet.com.au/govt-wants-isps-to-record-browsing-history-339303785.htm

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/06/11/0645249/Australian-Govt-Seeks-To-Record-Citizens-Web-Histories

Another nail in SCO's coffin

Judge Stewart sided with a jury that issued a verdict against SCO in April, finding that Novell was the rightful owner of the UNIX SVRX copyrights. According to Judge Stewart, SCO failed to demonstrate that the jury's verdict contradicted the evidence presented in the case.

and

It's unlikely that the bankruptcy courts will allow SCO's charade to continue now that two judges and one jury have all concluded that SCO does not own the SVRX UNIX copyrights on which its litigation is predicated.

I'm sure SCO will try to appeal to SCOTUS, who will hopefully not bother to hear their appeal.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/06/scowned-no-new-trial-novell-can-shut-down-ibm-lawsuit.ars

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/06/10/216255/Judge-Rejects-SCOs-Motion-For-a-New-Trial

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