Should ISP's Retain IM Conversations & E-mails?

Terrorism may be a fact of life but where does the borderline between the need for security and personal privacy begin and end. A proposed bill to be introduced in the US House of Representatives would require ISPs to record everyone's surfing activities, IM conversations and e-mail traffic - and then store it for an indefinite period.

Under the legislation, ISP's would be required to retain comprehensive records or suffer fines and, potentially, a prison term of one year for failure to adhere. The action appears to be a streamlining of the Homeland Security legislation, rather blandly termed the "Safety Act", proposed by sponsor Lamar Smith (pictured), a Republican congressman from Texas.

Congressman Smith is the Chairman of Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.

"A crime is still a crime, whether it occurs on the street or on the internet," says Congressman Smith via his website. "In this age of increasing digital and technological sophistication, cyber-crimes and cyber-terrorism pose a serious threat to the US. Law enforcement and the private sector must be prepared to deal with these crimes."

Financial penalties are also being threatened against ISP's that allow child pornography transactions to permeate state borders.

Lamar Smith Website