[A2k] Regarding Google and YouTube

[Seth Johnson]

A few strands to link up:

Youtube's practice is precisely in accord with the WIPO
Broadcaster's Treaty.  The notion is to watermark video streams
so you can tell who broadcast particular broadcasts, then create
an unconstitutional, but international-treaty-based
"broadcaster's right" to enforce that in complete disregard for
basic rights.  A fundamental change in the nature of the public
domain (and the Internet).

I don't know a lot about the "Homeland Stupidity" site that
follows, but take note of the following (text pasted below):

> http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/02/22/google-in-bed-with-us-intellig=
ence/


Google recently acquired Youtube.  Despite their net neutrality
stance, Google is now in a position to help facilitate the end of
net neutrality through the broadcaster's treaty.


Seth

---

> http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/02/22/google-in-bed-with-us-intellig=
ence/

Google in bed with U.S. intelligence


By Michael Hampton

Posted: February 22, 2006 11:31 am


Even while Google presents a public image of vigorously
protecting its users=92 privacy, it has quietly provided assistance
to several U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the Central
Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, as the U.S.
prosecutes its war on terrorism. In addition, Google may be
providing assistance to the National Security Agency.

IT contractors and intelligence officials familiar with the
arrangement confirmed to HSToday.us that Google had been
providing assistance to the intelligence community, but would not
say under what authority that assistance had been requested or
provided.

The intelligence community appears to be interested in data
mining Google=92s vast store of information on each user who uses
Google=92s services. Google collects data on each user=92s search
queries, which web sites users visited after making a query, and
through its Google Analytics service, can also track users on
cooperating web sites. It=92s not clear what level of access to or
how much of this information has been made available to
intelligence agencies.

    The contractor, who spoke on a not-for-attribution basis,
said that at least one US intelligence agency he declined to
identify is working to =93leverage Google=92s [user] data monitoring=94
capability as part of an effort by the IC to glean from this data
information of =93national security intelligence interest=94 in the
war on terror. . . .

    One of the sources did say, however, that the CIA=92s Office of
Research and Development =93has been giving them additional money
and guidance and requirements.=94

    Last November, the CIA - through In-Q-Tel [CIA venture
capital company] - issued notices to sell $2.2 million worth of
Google stock.

    Robert David Steele, intelligence veteran and CEO of OSS.Net,
Inc. which sponsored last week=92s event, told HSToday.us Tuesday
evening that =93Google is being actively hypocritical and deceptive
in playing up its refusal to help the Department of Justice when
all along it has been taking money and direction for elements of
the US Intelligence Community, including the Office of Research
and Development at the Central Intelligence Agency, In-Q-Tel, and
in all probability, both the National Security Agency (NSA) and
the Army=92s Intelligence and Security Command.=94

    Steele added, =93I have no doubt that Google, in its arrogance,
decided it could make a deal with the devil and not get caught.=94
=97 HSToday.us

If you are extremely concerned about the possibility that your
private browsing information is going to wind up in the hands of
U.S. intelligence agencies, you can throw a spanner in the works
by blocking cookies from the following domains: google.com,
googlesyndication.com, google-analytics.com, and your
country-specific Google domain (e.g. google.co.uk). If you
actually use Google services, such as Google Mail, then this
obviously will prevent you from using those services.

Even with cookies blocked, a limited amount of user tracking is
possible, so unless you really are a terrorist, it probably isn=92t
worth the trouble. I still have all of my Google Cookies. Then
again, I already know they=92re watching me=85


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