[IP] more on Ohio University announces changes in file-sharing policies

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "David P. Reed" <dpreed@reed.com>
Date: April 26, 2007 11:16:26 AM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Re: [unclassified] [IP] Ohio University announces changes in  
file-sharing policies

It would be interesting to know whether Ohio University, an agency of  
the state, is inspecting the content of packets being sent between  
ordinary citizens in its enforcement activities in this regard.    
While employers have a precedent regarding inspecting *employees*  
network data transfers, there is little precedent for inspection of  
packets of citizen-customers (i.e. students who pay tuition and room  
and board, which includes payment for Internet services).

I am afraid that the CIO of Ohio is putting the University in a very  
dangerous place as a public institution reading the mail and personal  
data of Ohio citizens by fiat.

Perhaps he ought to consult state legal counsel?


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