GOP revives ISP-tracking legislation

As reported on Slashdot (Wednesday February 07, @04:15PM): CNET News.com reports that Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives announced yesterday legislation to force ISPs to keep track of what their users are doing. It's part of the Republicans 'law and order agenda,' with other components devoted to the death penalty, gangs, and terrorists. Attorney General Gonzales would be permitted to force Internet providers to keep logs of Web browsing, instant message exchanges, and e-mail conversations indefinitely. The draft bill is available online, and it also includes mandatory Web labeling for sexually explicit pages. The idea enjoys bipartisan support: a Colorado Democrat has been the most ardent supporter in the entire Congress. -- This bill--part of a Republican-led "law and order agenda"--echoes almost word for word a proposal made last year that never made it to a floor vote. Obviously, this won't go through Congress, but I believe loss of even more privacy is on the horizon.