ITS and Network Access Control is now “scanning” UNC-network computers in residence halls in order to notify network users when they practice illegal media file sharing.
The positive ramifications of this new policy seem to trump any misplaced assertions of privacy infringement, especially considering that the only laptops under scrutiny are part of a University-run system, which reserves some right to monitor its users, particularly when their actions could reflect poorly upon the University and cost money.
The system will contact file-sharers via pop-up if it detects certain file sharing programs. The efforts of monitoring campus file-sharing are not intended to incriminate network users, and there are absolutely no legal repercussions upon receiving the notice.
This system of campus software monitoring certainly possesses an air of Orwellian “Big Brother” supervision. But it’s better that the University inform you of your file sharing before the recording industry does.
In today’s society, the lines of what constitutes privacy infringement seem to be growing increasingly blurry.
The pop-ups make the user additionally informed of the hazards of illegal file-sharing procedures. From there, the file-sharer has been granted fair warning and is left with their own liberty to continue downloading as they please.
Avid file-sharers may even be surprisingly satisfied with the new policy as it is likely to deter risk-averse file sharers and increase the network’s bandwidth.
So, after Tuesday, have no fear upon reception of this pop-up. It is meant to inform, not to incriminate. Use it as an opportunity to further educate yourself about file-sharing and form your own decisions about how to maximize enjoyment from your laptop.
