 On Tuesday, Reuters reported that U.S. citizens are less than satisfied by the measures law enforcement authorities have taken against Internet-related problems in the past. Working in association with the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Center for American Progress (CAP) conducted a survey across the 50 states- the results provided a small glimpse into an average day of an online American, as far as I’m concerned. Here’s a breakdown of the data, reflecting the year 2007: Out of the estimated 20,000 Internet-related complaints recorded: - 8 states ranked Internet-related issues in their top-three frustrations
- 24 states included online identity fraud in their top-three frustrations
And these frustrations ain’t cheap. CAP reported that “spyware, viruses and phishing cost consumers $7.1 billion,” an alarming $2 billions MORE than 2006. Paula Selis, senior counsel for Washington State’s attorney general, commented grimly on the impact these statistics suggest: “Crimes on the Internet could damage online commerce.” In an age when shopping online has become second nature for most- and first instinct for others, “damage” translates to catastrophic concerns. Despite the fact that “online fraud is a huge threat,” Reuters commented that there are surprisingly “few prosecutions of online fraud.” CAP’s director of regulatory and information policy, Reece Rushing, described the efforts of authorities as insufficient. “It's clear ... that state attorneys general are not doing a whole lot about Internet consumer protection.” However, an encouraging and noteworthy fact, as Reuters pointed out, is that in “the states that have made [fighting online fraud] a priority [authorities have] been able to win settlements.” According to the National Association of Attorneys General recent newsletter, between 2006 and 2007 there have been “55 prosecutions of Internet fraud, 26 related to online sales or services, 15 related to data security or identity theft, and14 involving spyware, spam or phishing.” That may seem like a lot; over the past month and a half, I’ve written about case after case after case... after case after case... after case after case of lawsuits revolving around Internet fraud and manipulation of the web services many have come to trust. And those are just the stories that make it to the top of the news! It’s good to see so much coverage on swift justice for hackers and online crooks, but I’m sure these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a one-two-punch of a process that could lead us to a happier, safer cyber-future- step one, identify, prioritize, and attend to the existing cases of online crimes; step two, create a safer environment where online fraud is a slim-to-none encounter. The latter might be considerably more involved, but here’s hoping all the same. |
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