A recent Library Journal article described a situation in which a terrorism suspect charged with going through paramilitary training in Georgia and plotting to attack various targets was spyed upon at a public library. His lawyer claims that FBI agents followed Ahmed to the Chestatee Regional Library and searched the computer he had worked on without a warrant. "Library director Claudia Gibson told LJ that the library had no knowledge of an FBI visit, though it had been called by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which wanted to know what records are accessible. 'We told them we don't track any information from our patrons' she said" (Older, 2007).
It looks like the patron had been followed by the FBI to the library. When the patron was finished at the computer, an agent got on that same computer and searched its history. So, the lawyer is trying to get any evidence pulled from this public library computer from being able to be used against the terrorism suspect.
We promote privacy by getting minimal amounts of information from patrons for their library cards, clearing circulation records frequently, and not giving out personal information to any other patrons. What can we do about someone following a patron to the library and using that same computer after that patron to search its history? Do we need to automatically clear cache memories from the computer after every patron? Or, is it the patron's responsibility to do so?
Either way, the library seems to have done what it could. Its computer policy can be found at http://www.chestateelibrary.org/ComputerUsePolicy.htm. Under "Security and Privacy," it states, "Chestatee Regional Library System accepts no liability for any loss of privacy or data patrons may experience or any damage or harm arising from such loss. Ultimate responsibility for resolution of problems related to the invasion of the patron's privacy or loss of data rests with the patron."
Original article citation:
Older, Norman. "Did FBI Track Suspects PL Use? Library Journal. Nov. 1, 2007. 123.18 Academic Search Premier database http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.iupui.edu/
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3 comments:
Besides having a computer use policy, I wonder what the library does to educate its patrons about privacy and confidentiality. Most people are clueless about how easily their personal information can be traced.
I think it would be a fantastic idea if libraries educated their patrons on how to clear cached memories. Maybe if patrons knew what could be found out about them by simply logging on to the computer after them, they would make a conscious effort to protect themselves and their privacy. And it would give some control to the patrons over what information of theirs is kept private.
It seems people respond better to policy when they are given the power and control to do it themselves.
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