Federal agencies can no longer snoop the Internet to collect personal information from Internet browsers under an obscure provision of an appropriations bill President Bush signed into law last month.
The prohibition against government monitoring of the Internet and the browsing habits of individuals is buried deep within the $17.1 billion Treasury, Postal and General Government appropriations bill (HR-2590), which includes $96 million for the U.S. Postal Service.
The $96 million represents government support for the postal service’s free-and-reduced rate mail program for nonprofit organizations; free mail for the blind; and free government mailings.
Section 639 of the bill specifically prohibits federal agencies–whether they are included in the $17.1 billion bill or not– from reviewing an individual’s Internet use and collecting and keeping personally identifiable information about them.
It also prohibits government agencies from entering into any agreements with third parties–including Internet site operators and service providers–for information relating to an individual’s use of any non-governmental Internet site.
The prohibitions do not apply to federal law enforcement or regulatory agencies in connection with criminal investigations.
The law’s privacy provision does permit agencies to collect, keep and use any personally identifiable information that is provided voluntarily.
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