Personally, I don't think the majority of people care a fig about this issue. Nevertheless, here is what the Minister For Communications told The Sunday Business Post in November on it. Wonder if he's annoyed?
Q: We have a fairly extensive data retention law in place. Could you envisage any further use of citizens' electronically held data for reasons beyond existing legal requirements?
Ryan: I think we should do everything in our power to prevent any such use. One of the consequences of people going online is that they will be using services and in a sort of cloud. If Big Brother is seen to be taking information out of that cloud, it could seriously hamper people's trust in the whole system. We also have to make sure commercial interests do not get hold of information that goes beyond the proper dialogue between a company and its customers.
The question is not how many people care about a decision. It is more important to ask what its effect will be.
Posted by: Simon McGarr | January 21, 2008 at 01:21 PM
If the ministers actually understood what they were asking ISPs to do they might not be so quick in pushing for it....
Posted by: Michele Neylon | February 15, 2008 at 12:24 AM
The problem here is not just the legal framework or the danger Joe Public faces online but the awareness of website owners and particularly small business data administrators as to their responsibilities. The culture of "get as much info as you can" and "mind what you need" is pervasive accross the industry. Catching someone with their hand in the "cookie" jar wont tell us who owns those cookies.
Posted by: Mike Hehir | March 12, 2008 at 09:03 AM