AT&T = American Traitors & Tricksters

The Consumerist made a recent post on AT&T spinning their wire-tapping schemes and violations of privacy. Check out this oh so clever advertisement:

The catch phrase “Simplify. Organize. Liberate.” relates to the ease and freedom one gains with Online billing, using the word liberate in the obvious sense of becoming worry-free when it comes to paying bills with electronic automation . However, in a twisted turn America is a liberator of sorts and our own cherished liberty protects us from an oppressive society. Yet, AT&T playing spy games with our phone/cell and Internet lines clearly undercuts liberty. Moving on “Ms. Suspicious Has Nothing to Hide.” This captures the favored argument: if you aren’t guilty then you have nothing to hide. Then it moves on to “Well, she has a little to hide…” And AT&T would know, because they’ve read her e-mail, followed her web patterns, and listened to her phone calls. They know all about Ms. Suspicious and her sticky notes covering the Apple logo. AT&T should go the full nine and advertise themselves as a “big brother” looking out for you!

The last part really tickles my goose, “Online Liberation Movement”. Way to make a joke out of trampling privacy rights and even net neutrality. In the end, God bless online bill bay – freeing us to do more important things in life like  “[assisting] the government in its secret surveillance of millions of ordinary Americans”. [EFF]

Lastly, I applied for a CIA Librarian job a few weeks ago, not sure if my posts hinder or help my chances, probably the former.

Billboard Liberation Front

I found this billboard update quite amusing, courtesy of The BLF.

The US wiretapping situation reminds me of an issue that faces libraries and their patrons. For years the FBI and other officials have wanted access to library records- in hopes of finding out who is checking-out material on terrorism, certain Government documents, bomb-making, nuclear weapons, anti-American sentiments, and any range of items that an official views as threatening. US Government attempts to spy on library patrons and censure library information has been occurring since the Cold War. A New York Times article from 1987 states:

F.B.I. agents have asked librarians in New York City to watch for and report on library users who might be diplomats of hostile powers recruiting intelligence agents or gathering information potentially harmful to United States security.

All librarians are responsible for serving the public, ensuring privacy, reserving judgment, and providing access to information. As the American Library Association states in their Code of Ethics:

We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

Not much has changed over the years, as the Government will always want  access to private information.  However it is up to libraries to remain the same and protect citizen rights.