Businesses and consumers using peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are inadvertently
exposing confidential files to others, according to testimony Tuesday before
the House Government and Oversight Committee.
P2P networks have been in the Congressional crosshairs for years, primarily
for their ability to swap music files in violation of copyright laws.
The
Supreme Court in 2005 ruled P2P
networks were legal but companies that promoted file sharing of copyrighted
material pursued illegal business models.
The furor over P2P networks mostly died with the Supreme Court decision but in
March the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) released a report suggesting
that inadvertent file sharing may still be a serious problem.
“Although P2P technology confers significant benefits, such as allowing for
faster file transfers, conserving bandwidth and storage requirements, and
saving on maintenance and energy costs, it also has been associated with risks
to consumers,” Mary Engle, associate director of the Federal Trade
Commission’s (FTC) Division of Advertising Practices, told lawmakers Tuesday.
In addition to the traditional threat of exposure to spyware and adware that
is sometimes bundled with P2P software, Engle said consumers also might
inadvertently share their own personal or sensitive files with others.
Mark Gorton, CEO of the popular file-sharing company LimeWire, said
inadvertent file sharing continues to plague some P2P users who don’t fully
understand how the technology works.
“At LimeWire we continue to be frustrated that despite our warnings and
precautions, a small fraction of users override the safe default setting that
come with the program and end up inadvertently publishing information that
they would prefer to keep private,” Gorton said.
Gorton said LimeWire is working on a new generation of user interfaces and
tools designed with beginning P2P users in mind. He also noted P2P networks
continue to have problems with child pornography and copyrighted files being
traded over the networks.
“The Internet is a technology which allows for many novel behaviors.
Unfortunately, some of these new behaviors are detrimental to society,” Gorton
said.
“The regulatory framework that surrounds the Internet has not kept pace
with technical advancements, and currently, no effective enforcement
mechanisms exist to address illegal behavior on P2P networks.”
Gorton noted that a handful of colleges and universities have instituted a
notice-based warning system for users that disconnect students who ignore
multiple warnings. According to Gorton, the practice has “sharply reduced”
child pornography and copyright infringement on their campus networks.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the committee, said Congress must
decide if legislation is needed or whether oversight tools and enhanced consumer
education solve, or least mitigate, the problem.
“The purpose of this hearing is not to shut down P2P networks or bash P2P
technology,” Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif., chairman of the House panel, said
Tuesday.
“P2P networks have the potential to deliver innovative and lawful
applications that will enhance business and academic endeavors, reduce
transaction costs, and increase available bandwidth across the country.”
Waxman added, “At the same time, however, we must achieve a balance that
protects sensitive government, personal, and corporate information and
copyright laws.”
