What is NET NEUTRALITY and why should anyone care?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Why was that volunteer at Nancy Pelosi's office so concerned about Net Neutrality when she was showing me how to track my Congressman's voting record online last week?

If you are concerned that government is violating your right to privacy by illegally eavesdropping contact, Electronic Frontier Foundation. (EFF)

EFF Battles Government's Motion to Dismiss AT&T Surveillance Case
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) told a federal judge today that the government should not be allowed to use the "state secrets privilege" to preempt the class-action lawsuit against AT&T. EFF's suit accuses AT&T of collaborating with the National Security Agency (NSA) in illegally spying on millions of Americans -- handing over customers' telephone and Internet records and communications without any legal authority. Department of Justice lawyers argued today that even if the NSA program is illegal, pursuing the case might expose "state secrets." However, EFF attorneys asked the judge to allow the case to proceed, considering the privilege in regards to specific evidence and situations instead of derailing the suit all together.
Full story, more on EFF's case against AT&T
June 23, 2006

Copyright Battle Threatens Right to Surf and Email Anonymously
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) argued Tuesday that a battle between Internet real estate services over copyrighted images should not threaten the rights of users to surf web pages and send emails anonymously. The case began when CoStar, a real estate information database, subpoenaed LoopNet, an online real estate forum, over copyrighted photographs that appeared on LoopNet's service. However, CoStar demanded not only the identification of the uploaders of the offending images, but also identification of "downloaders"—using a dangerously broad definition that includes both those who simply view the photos online and those who merely email links to the photos to others.
Full story, For the full amicus brief
June 20, 2006

EFF and Government Face Off Over 'State Secrets' in San Francisco Courtroom
On Friday, June 23, at 9:30 a.m., a federal judge in San Francisco will hear oral arguments on the U.S. government's motion to dismiss the Electronic Frontier Foundation's (EFF's) class-action lawsuit against AT&T. EFF's suit accuses the telecom giant of collaborating with the National Security Agency (NSA) in illegal spying on millions of ordinary Americans. The government contends that even if the NSA program is illegal, the lawsuit should not go forward because it might expose state secrets.
Full story, more on EFF's case against AT&T
June 20, 2006

Appeals Court Corrects Dangerous Web Privacy Ruling
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has corrected a dangerous lower court ruling that threatened Internet privacy. In doing so, it preserved the privacy of password-protected websites as well as the right to read public sites. The decision followed the arguments made in an amicus brief filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). "A real privacy disaster was averted today," said EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston, who authored the brief. "The court affirmed important legal protections for truly private websites, and also protected your right to read public content on the Internet without getting sued."
Full story, For the full decision in the case , EFF's Brief
June 1, 2006

Huge Win for Online Journalists' Source Protection
A California state appeals court ruled in favor of the Electronic Frontier Foundation's (EFF's) petition on behalf of three online journalists Friday, holding that the online journalists have the same right to protect the confidentiality of their sources as offline reporters do. "Today's decision is a victory for the rights of journalists, whether online or offline, and for the public at large," said EFF Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl, who argued the case before the appeals court last month. "The court has upheld the strong protections for the free flow of information to the press, and from the press to the public."

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