Obama Eyeing Internet ID for Americans

CBS News | CNet ^ | 1/7/10 | Declan McCullagh

[LibWhacker]

STANFORD, Calif. - President Obama is planning to hand the U.S. Commerce Department authority over a forthcoming cybersecurity effort to create an Internet ID for Americans, a White House official said here today.

It's "the absolute perfect spot in the U.S. government" to centralize efforts toward creating an "identity ecosystem" for the Internet, White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt said.

That news, first reported by CNET, effectively pushes the department to the forefront of the issue, beating out other potential candidates including the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

[reaganaut]

New candidate for “Mark of the Beast” ping.

This is going to get some airplay from the usual suspects (Hal Lindsey)

[Lockbox]

I already have mine, Number 6

[reaganaut]

That was my first thought as well. I thought I might be a bit paranoid as I have been doing some research in eschatology for a book project.

Glad to know I’m not the only one.

[sten]

because those are controlled whereas the content on the internet is not. there are far too many ways for information to leak out anonymously for their liking

[wastedyears]

We’ll bend over and take it. Like we’ve been doing for over 50 years.

[Red Steel]

Talk about unecessary bullcrap.

He doesn't have the legal means or the authority to do it.

[Vendome]

It’s coming.

[rockinqsranch]

“.....For what? Ridiculing Obama?.....”

No....disagreeing with him.

[FDNYRHEROES]

After reading the article, It seems to me the decision to have a “Internet ID” has already been made. The choice of which agency to handle the “ID” is how the question.

Well, If they just turn it over to the Civil Defense Force, then everything (and everybody)will just naturally fall into place...

[toddausauras]

True. But that he wants to. When will people like my parents wake up and realize he is evil? It’s like Hitler, everybody’s under his spell.

[Cementjungle]

Yes, your IP address locates who you are (for all intents and purposes). If you are on dialup, you are routed through one of several modems; your dial-up provider will have a bank of modem and each session is logged.

An IP is not tied to an individual. With dialup, you'll likely be assigned a different IP (from a pool of them) each call. Activity is logged, but it takes a little digging to match your login/activity to a specific IP during the specific time period.

With this new setup, you will be assigned your own identity which will follow your every move on the Internet. This makes things much easier and quicker for the Feds if they want to track/tax you.

[rawcatslyentist]

We’re still trying to ID him!

Needs repeating and loudly!!

[lentulusgracchus]

Hey Obama, i got you ID right here (gesticulating to his favorite part of the male anatomy).

Dude, watch out -- he'll go for it.

[scott7278]

Yes, but that information is localized, and some ISPs have fought to release the info. It’s also a lot of work...this digital ID would make it a matter of seconds before the feds knew who and where you were.