Privacy no longer can mean anonymity, says Donald Kerr, a deputy head of national intelligence. Instead, it should mean that sovereignty and businesses properly safeguards people's private communications and economic information. "Protecting anonymity isn't a fight that can be won. Anyone that's typed in their name on Google understands that," said Kerr. Kurt Opsahl of the EFF said Kerr ignores the distinction between sacrificing protection from an intrusive washington* and voluntarily disclosing lowdown* in exchange for a service. "There is substance fundamentally different from the political practice having tidings about you than private parties. We shouldn't have to give people the choice between taking advantage of modern communication tools and sacrificing their privacy." Kerr's comments come as Congress is taking a second look at the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act, requiring a court order for surveillance on U.S. soil. The White House argued that the law was obstructing intelligence gathering.

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