Privacy? What privacy?

I don’t understand a lot about technology, with terms like IP addresses and cookies and what all is included in them. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out a federal judge has misapplied the privacy laws in requiring Google to hand over its database of YouTube users.

We who use the internet should know that nothing we do is private while on it. However, there are privacy laws that restrict who can get at that information. For the judge to rule that Google has to turn over to Viacom every YouTube user, user name and IP address with every video clip he/she ever viewed in order for Viacom to prove a point is an invasion of privacy and further erodes our privacy in our homes.

The Supreme Court, many years ago, ruled a person can view porn in the privacy of one’s own home, so should anyone be allowed to view magazines, internet, television, newspapers or any medium in the privacy of one’s home. It’s nobody’s business what I do in my own home, what I subscribe to or who I listen to. It’s like telling the New York Times to hand over its subscriber database to the Detroit Free Press. (I don’t think they’re owned by the same company, but I’m not sure about that.) Anyone who believes Viacom is going to use the information “exclusively for the purpose of proving our case…” well, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. If I want the competitor to know I’m shopping around for another provider, I’ll let them know.