Alarm over Internet security and espionage was launched early this
month by Stefano Rodota, a government watchdog for the rights of privacy of
Italian citizens and businesses.
Of particularly concern, according to
Rodota, is Echelon, an ultra-sophisticated, satellite spy network operated
by the United States National Security Agency, which is able to intercept
telephone, fax, and e-mail communications from any part of the world.
“There is pressure from businesses, said Rodota, “to purify or
sterilize the Internet, so that it becomes a great network where people
can enter, as if going into a supermarket. But the Internet is a very large
gamble for democracy and I believe that we must work to insure it remains a
great forum, with the possibility of discussions, and free access to
information.”
Currently, Rodota is preparing a report that will be presented to the
Italian parliament regarding the invasion of privacy of citizens as well as
businesses, including an official denouncement involving what some consider
Internet spying by the NSA.
“(The United States) continues to maintain super-sophisticated systems of
civilian espionage, dominated by Echelon,” said Rodota. “This is a
system that escapes all methods of control.”
The hope of Rodotas group is to establish acceptable standards for
protection of Internet communications and data base networks, among its
European partners and global allies. Perhaps the largest obstacle facing
such regulation, as Rodota points out, is not the standards, but
“establishing which countries will participate in adhering to such
standards.”
