[€uroMeinke]

So, today I have a meeting with a vendor - his product monitors and analyzes network activity.

So, it watches various activity - files attached, things going to webmail accounts, activity on IM and message boards, etc. and looks for targeted content - Social Security Numbers is the big one, but it looks for porn, music, numbers, hacking tools, info on masking drug tests, etc. When it finds something suspicious, it launches full scans of the offending systems and summarizes everything nicely in a color report.

I looked at this material, and thought to myself (all the while smiling and nodding), "so this is the face of Big Brother."

Ironincally new privacy regulations is the main driver for the success of this product (and other's like it). This is the way Company's can protect their employee and customer privacy, protect intellectual property, and maek sure your email/IM network doesn't help create a "Hostile work environment."

I see the appeal a product like this has for a large company, but I can't help but think that all the self-censorship that will result from it's implementation is somehow infringing on my privacy.

I think it may be time to ditch the company cell phone.