December 9, 2006

This Post is Old!

The post you are reading is years old and may not represent my current views. I started blogging around the time I first began to study philosophy, age 17. In my view, the point of philosophy is to expose our beliefs to rational scrutiny so we can revise them and get better beliefs that are more likely to be true. That's what I've been up to all these years, and this blog has been part of that process. For my latest thoughts, please see the front page.

U.S. Congress Outlaws Pretexting (Sort Of)

In my previous post on the MPAA's success in blocking a California anti-pretexting bill, I neglected to mention that California did go on to pass a much narrower bill, which illegalizes the use of pretexting to obtain telephone records. Today, the New York Times is reporting that the Senate has just passed a similar bill (apparently the House passed the bill quite some time ago). Of course, these bills really do not go far enough, but it is something.

I don't understand how it can be so difficult to get a stronger bill passed. How is pretexting not a straightforward case of fraud? Why on earth should there be any type of pretexting that is legally permitted? If your records are needed for a criminal investigation, the government can get a warrant; otherwise there is simply no need for anyone but you to have access to your confidential records.

Posted by Kenny at December 9, 2006 1:43 PM
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