UGN InfoManager: Biden: Computer friend or not?

In all the hype surrounding the presidential campaign this season the computer user has largely been left out. Neither side is making any mention of net neutrality, cybercrime, internet security or the impending cyberwars. We haven't heard so much as a whimper from either candidate about the now-cold case for Net Neutrality. So, if you use a computer, you'll need to dig deeply ...

Now that we know Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware has been selected as Obama's running mate, I was compelled to check out where that might put computer users and the long, hard fight against cyber crime and the threats facing the web. There isn't much to find beyond his part in the congressional international anti-piracy caucus.

We reported on the caucus back in 2003, which is dedicated to working with America’s international trade partners to secure the enactment of strong copyright laws and the vigilant enforcement of those laws. Our local Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) was also a member, so we followed it closely when they released the International Anti-Piracy Watch List International Anti-Piracy Watch List. So we at least know that Biden has taken an active role in cyber legislation of some kind.

Biden is a strong supporter of civil liberties and voted against the bill that legalized warrantless wiretapping program. He has said in the past that privacy in the high-tech age is as important as Roe v. Wade. He is a supporter of intellectual property rights yet has not really voiced a decisive opinion one way or the other about net-neutrality legislation.

While all the computer and cyber issues are getting trampled in the media spectacle for the campaign, we just can't seem to forget Biden's 'creative editing' of video for his campaign back last November.

This from blog.wired.com.

The huge Net-Neutrality issue has cooled and fallen by the wayside with the onrush of campaign media -- but it has not gone away, and it will come back to haunt us some day very soon. Of that you can be sure.

Also see: International Piracy Watch List an effort to combat international copyright piracy.

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We'd love to hear your opinions on this... just contact Lynn or Fred...