Patriot Act could do harm to e-commerce

[True_Blue]

Could the Patriot Act threaten the growth of e-commerce?

That is the question being raised by some online booksellers and e- tailing analysts, who suggest that the anti-terrorism law, passed in October 2001 to give the government new counterterrorism capabilities, has already changed the way some companies and consumers do business online.

For some consumers, it has meant fewer online purchases of politically incorrect books. For the Web sites, it has meant changes to privacy policies and marketing strategies, among other things.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/10/14/BUG2O2AGI21.DTL&type=business

[VermontDem2004]

1. wow

surprised this story didn't get any replies.

[onebigbadwulf]

2. The gov spying

on your online commerce isn't as scary as the government tapping your phone line or doing searches of your house while you're gone. We're just waiting for the Dems to repeal the goddamn thing.