Interesting Daily Iowan Article

By Ryan Kopf - Oct. 10, 2008

There was an interesting article in the Daily Iowan today. It offers a view on file-sharing at the University of Iowa, with what seems to be a pro-industry bias (hopefully not on purpose). The article basically states that companies are suing student file-sharers, and that it costs the industry, without mention of the potential privacy violations the industry could be committing.

I'd rather see more questions answering: does the UI give personal information willy-nilly to recording associations? What are we doing to fight illegal spying on students? Have they read this article where a laser printer is accused of downloading Iron Man?

I asked the University of Iowa technology security department for more information, and they assured me that they believe protecting student privacy is very serious. They do not provide information to external organizations without a subpoena, but they will conduct an internal investigation as a result of complaints not issued by a court.