Bowdoin Puts Its Wi-Fi Plans on Hold

[MountainLaurel]

Because of fears of government wiretapping.

Bowdoin College's plans to make wireless Internet available to the public in Brunswick's downtown district have been put on hold because of concerns about a law that would authorize tapping of the network.

The federal Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, designed to let law enforcement officials tap phone lines, normally exempts "private networks." A collegiate wireless system accessible only to students, faculty and staff is considered "private network." However a network open to the public is not.

Mitch Davis, Bowdoin's chief information officer, says the law raises legal, financial and ethical concerns for the college.

"The cost of putting in the system to allow law enforcement to do what they want to do is extreme," he said. "The way that you have to give (the government) access to a particular service also gives them access to any service, and they don't have to tell you what they're looking at."

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/coast/060809wifi.shtml

[Canuckistanian]

1. Government should fear the people

Not the other way around.

I wonder how many people and organizations have radically changed their procedures and policies because they know the government is spying on their every electronic communication?

[Donnachaidh]

2. Brunswick residents are eligible to go there free still, yes?

Why not just set up a private network for all Brunswick residents? I know it's a stretch, but hell, anything to beat the Nazis at their game.

[AlamoDemoc]

3. here are few questions you might want to inquire

1)who is the AG of State of Maine, where is he from, instate or out of state>>his roots

2)What is Mains statute governing private privacy?

3)who is Mr. Mitch Davis, and what is his political affiliation with Bowdoin college >>board of governors, staff, and faculty?