[NA-Discuss] FBI Seizes Library Computers Without Warrant

[Jeffrey A. Williams]

All,

  What's up with this?  I can't see how this was necessary and
seemingly is abusive.  For all you NA folks, this is something
you can write you local FBI office about.  IMHO, this is
deplorable and is a significant user issue as many users use
library computers to do thei research and other educational
related activities.  Antrax case my A$$!  Looks like a CYA
operation to me...

  What's next, is the FBI going to search little kids lunch boxes
for P2P devices and cell phones and confiscate them too?

See:

Two FBI agents walked into a public library
in Maryland, without a warrant, and
http://wtopnews.com/?nid=598&sid=1452848 walked out with two computers.
The library director agreed to release
the machines to these smooth-talking feds. According to the article,
the director of Frederick County Public Libraries indicated that this
was the third time in his 10 years there that the FBI had requested
records, but the first time they had come without a court order. The
director seemed to indicate no regrets, stating 'It was a decision I
made on my experience and the information given to me.' He further
justified his actions, noting that the agents indicated specific
computers
they needed (of the several dozen in the library) and further that they
'had an awful lot of information.'" The library director speculated
whether the raid may have involved the
http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/08/01/1532217&tid=266
Bruce Ivins / anthrax case, musing "Obviously it coincided with the
events everyone is talking about," but he said the agents hadn't
mentioned it.

Regards,

Spokesman for INEGroup LLA. - (Over 281k members/stakeholders strong!)
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