The "P" Word? You Know, Privacy & Psecurity.

From [The Not-timely-but-definitely-relevant files] and the Washington Post: The online behavior of a small but growing number of computer users in the United States is monitored by their Internet service providers, who have access to every click and keystroke that comes down the line. The companies harvest the stream of data for clues to a person’s interests, making money from advertisers who use the information to target their online pitches.

The practice represents a significant expansion in the ability to track a household’s Web use because it taps into Internet connections, and critics liken it to a phone company listening in on conversations. But the companies involved say customers’ privacy is protected because no personally identifying details are released.

The key word here is “released“, because that implies that they’re capturing and storing it, whereas capturing while simultaneously anonymizing it would be significantly different. The problem is that as soon as anyone in law enforcement shows up at their door asking for information about your online habits,  these ISPs will probably roll over and provide them with everything they have – and more than likely without warrants.

Why would your ISP do that?  Not only because it costs them money to defend your privacy by insisting that law enforcement follow proper procedures, but also because protecting your privacy doesn’t make them a cent.