Cloud Computing May Draw Government Action

snydeq brings us this excerpt from InfoWorld: "Cloud computing will soon become an area of hot debate in Washington, as the increasing popularity of cloud-based services is putting pressure on policy makers to answer tough questions on the privacy and security of data in the cloud. For example: Who owns the data that consumers store on the network? Should law enforcement agencies have easier access to personal information in the cloud than data on a personal computer? Do government procurement regulations need to change to allow agencies to embrace cloud computing? So far, US courts have generally ruled that private data stored in the cloud doesn't enjoy the same level of protection from law enforcement searches that data stored on a personal computer does, said Ari Schwartz, COO of the Center for Democracy and Technology. 'I do think government has an almost infinite ability to screw up things when they can't see the future,' former Bill Clinton tech policy adviser Mike Nelson added. 'We have to have leadership that believes in empowering users and empowering citizens.'"

Physical storage vs. virtual storage?

[Maestro485]

It's interesting that if I have a locker in a public place with a lock on it, I have a legal right to privacy. Yet, if I have an online storage account with a password ("lock"), it's fair game.

Lawyers, please enlighten me!

More on Cloud Privacy from Pew, Princeton

[miller60]

The article briefly mentions a survey on cloud computing [datacenterknowledge.com] released today by Pew Internet, which warns that "sloud users show high levels of concern when presented with scenarios in which companies might use their data for purposes users may or may not fully understand ahead of time. This suggests user worry over control of the information they store online." That includes using personal information for ad targeting.

Earlier this year Princeton University held a forum on cloud computing, which included an in-depth session of data ownership in the cloud and the issues it raises. It's available on YouTube [youtube.com] in its 90-minute entirety.

Re:Anybody else

[Daffy Duck]

Sign me up. I've heard people claiming they put their data "in the cloud" because that makes it safer. Why do they think this? Because "the cloud" is a concept rather than an object, and therefore cannot be destroyed?

I prefer to replace "the cloud" with "a bunch of servers I don't control and can't locate". Clears a lot of things up for me.

Re:Physical storage vs. virtual storage?

[Fulcrum of Evil]

sure, if you're okay with living like we did 10,000 years ago.

Re:Physical storage vs. virtual storage?

[techno-vampire]

I fail to see how you can make a local law against any usage of cloud computing.

Oh, there'd no difficulty making a local law against cloud computing; all you need to do is get enough clueless legislators to agree on it. Enforcing it, now, that's a different, much more difficult proposition.

Re:Physical storage vs. virtual storage?

[schnikies79]

I was a bit harsh in my post. I don't really dislike the ACLU, it just disappoints me off when an organization that supports liberty doesn't always support it. I think every amendment is as important as the others.

That being said, I support them in most every other situation and have donated to them.

From the ACLU website: [aclu.org]

"Given the reference to "a well regulated Militia" and "the security of a free State," the ACLU has long taken the position that the Second Amendment protects a collective right rather than an individual right."

banks?

[Anonymous Coward]

I keep my money in a bank. What's different about keeping my data in a data bank?

Re:Physical storage vs. virtual storage?

[10101001 10101001]

So why use the mail? Keep all your important data on devices that you physically control, and encrypt anything you consider sensitive.

So why use a security deposit box? Keep all your important data on devices that you physically control, and encrypt anything you consider sensitive.

So why use an internal hard drive? Keep all your important data on devices that you physically control, and encrypt anything you consider sensitive.

Or, I don't know, we could all be actually upset with the way things are going and actually force the government to do our bidding instead of running in fear on what new way the government will try to chip away at our freedoms. Perhaps it'll take a few [figurative] martyrs. Perhaps it'll take a [real] revolution. If you assume that the situation is futile, then there's no such thing as "devices that you physically control": it's only a matter of time for the government to make such things illegal and to punish people like you. Change should happen *now* because it'll be a lot harder and a lot bloodier if we all squat and wait on our own pile of data to protect.