Big Brother is watching you - and documenting (and EBAY is helping them BIG time)

Haaretz ^ | Yuval Dror

[HalfFull]

I'm all for the fight on terror, but this invasion on my constitutional rights is depressing.

[HalfFull]

Bump from the "Old Dominion"

[CobaltBlue]

It's not an invasion of your constitional rights if you consent.

The lawyer who said consent was coerced was just blowing smoke. It's a consensual transaction. If you don't want the info made available to law enforcement, don't do business on eBay.

There, isn't that simple?

As for me, I am glad to see that they are making such an extraordinary effort to stop fraud. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if the info wasn't available to the IRS as well.

[HalfFull]

but, the average ebay user is not a lawyer and just wants to buy/sell at a good price. Ebay burying this kind of info in a multipage electronic consent (and bragging about how they will give user info with simple request from near anybody) is disgusting. Glad you're not conserned, but I am.

another concern to me is an impersonator of a law enforcement agency may gain access of user data including paypal financial data which has our banking and cc and ss info. EVERYTHING you need for complete identity theft.

[tallhappy]

What's depressing is your understanding of constitutional rights is about as good as the liberal who cries unconstitutional if the government won't pay for their garbage "art".

[HalfFull]

Oh...and I would bet that most eBay consumers believe that a court order would still be required to access their personal info.

Personally, I like privacy rights.

[js1138]

When you enter into a voluntary agreement with eBay you sign away some privcy right. Take it or leave it. No one will stop breathing becuse they can't use eBay.

More to the point, there are lots of frauds and cheats using eBay. Selling stolen and pirated stuff, or not delivering. The system would collapse without a voluntary honor system and the fear of investigation.

[HalfFull]

"What's depressing is your understanding of constitutional rights is about as good as the liberal who cries unconstitutional if the government won't pay for their garbage "art"."

Wonder how you would feel if a bad cop was after you and used eBay to help in their effort.

[mabelkitty]

If a bad cop uses eBay, then he isn't a very smart one either.

[CobaltBlue]

The point you raise about identity theft is valid. I was assuming that they verified that they were actually dealing with law enforcement.

I am a lawyer, have handled several matters involving internet privacy rights. When you join a site, you are bound by the terms of use, so that's one thing to keep in mind. Read them or don't complain.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while political speech, e.g., your opinions on Free Republic, are protected by the First Amendment, financial transactions are not.

[Snowy]

Something else to watch out for. I got spam yesterday that appeared to be from Ebay. It stated that they were trying to process a purchase I made on Ebay and they said my CC had expired. They provided a link to submit new info. I knew it was a SCAM, but they made it look very authentic with all the proper logos, etc.

[rogers21774]

The meaning is clear. One fax to eBay from a lawman - police investigator, NSA, FBI or CIA employee, National Park ranger - and eBay sends back the user's full name, email address, home address, mailing address, home telephone number, name of company where seller is employed and user nickname. What's more, eBay will send the history of items he has browsed, feedbacks received, bids he has made, prices he has paid, and even messages sent in the site's various discussion groups.

From a National Park Ranger? Seriously? Hey, if I have plastic Deputy Sheriff's badge that I got from the dollar store, will that be good enough for ebay?

Seriously, how easy would it be to fake a fax from some bogus law inforcement agency to get the scoop on anybody I want?

I've never bought or sold anything on ebay anyway. I think It's inherently too risky. You don't know who you're dealing with.

[HalfFull]

"More to the point, there are lots of frauds and cheats using eBay. Selling stolen and pirated stuff, or not delivering. The system would collapse without a voluntary honor system and the fear of investigation."

Agree...and I think eBay should monitor their site and do what they can to eliminate such fraud.

But, would you feel the same if Law enforcement stormed your house without a court order simply because they suspected (without proof) that fraud was occurring? I don't see the differnce.

[Viva Le Dissention]

financial transactions are not.

For those of you interested, banking laws in the Cayman Islands are extremely strict, and it is often very difficult for U.S. investigators to obtain financial records from there. It was only in the past several years that the Caymans have begun to cooperate on even international drug cartel investigations, and only in the wake of serious worldwide pressure.

Cheers for financial privacy.

[isthisnickcool]

I'm all for the fight on terror, but this invasion on my constitutional rights is depressing.

Please detail what rights you have under the US Constitution that have been "invaded". Please indicate the protion of the US Constitution you are referencing.

[ez]

Wouldn't be a bit surprised if the info wasn't available to the IRS as well.

I suspect that is a larger consideration here than it appears...

[HalfFull]

"Please detail what rights you have under the US Constitution that have been "invaded". Please indicate the protion of the US Constitution you are referencing."

Hmmm....I'm not a lawyer but I seem to remember reading that illegal searches by law enforcement without a court order violated Constitutional rights.

[MarkL]

Another thing to keep in mind is that while political speech, e.g., your opinions on Free Republic, are protected by the First Amendment, financial transactions are not.

As a lawyer, I'm suprised that you made the last statement. Any of us, posting on Free Republic, do so at the pleasure of Jim Robinson, an honorable man. Nobody, with the exception of JR, have the "right," constitutional or not, to post here. We all have the right to our own opinions, but not to use the resources of others to promote them. Just as looney leftists can use DU to promote their hairbrained notions, and conservatives get banned after one sentance.

Mark

[Rebelbase]

""One fax to eBay from a lawman - police investigator, NSA, FBI or CIA employee, National Park ranger - and eBay sends back the user's full name, email address, home address, mailing address, home telephone number, name of company where seller is employed and user nickname"

What is FR policy regarding dissemination of registered poster's IP address/email address should Gov. Agencies "request" (no court order) them from you?

Have you had to cross that bridge yet?

[steve-b]

Hey, if I have plastic Deputy Sheriff's badge that I got from the dollar store, will that be good enough for ebay?

Since they don't require proof that a request is part of a lawfully authorized investigation, yes.