Congressman Rick Boucher (D, Va), also the head of the House subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, says that he want the committee to draft an internet privacy law by the end of the year. Boucher specifically cites concerns that ISPs can track and record everything a user does online. Laws governing internet privacy all sound good on the surface, but it’s my opinion that we need to tread extremely lightly when it comes to any legislation that intends to regulate the internet.

It’s apparent to me that the explosive growth and innovation in websites, social networks, and online services can be attributed to the essential “lawlessness” of the net. Of course, the obvious downside of this is the spread of equally innovative viruses, worms, and malware. Much like the physical world, the broad freedom provided by the internet can be taken advantage of by those wishing to spread their ill will. That said, we need to think long and hard before we pass legislation that bans or restricts certain technologies simply because they can be leveraged for nefarious purposes.

Via Wired blog Epicenter.
Image courtesy Flikr user FredArmitage.