According to today's New York Times, some feel a chilling effect from recent revelations that the Justice Department is collecting information about people's internet search habits.
Last week, Google said that it would resist attempts by the federal government to obtain records of people's online searches, while Yahoo, MSN, and America Online have already complied with requests. The Justice Department claims it needs the information to help combat online pornography.
One woman tells the New York Times, "If I followed my curiosity and did some Web research, going to Web sites of the parties involved [in the Palestinian elections], I would honestly wonder whether someone in my government would someday see my name on a list of people who went to 'terrorist' Web sites."
Some of those interviewed said they were more conscious of what they type into the Google search box. "Each time I put something in, I think about how it could be reconstructed to mean that I have more than an academic curiosity," another woman said.
