From: Sharon Shea Newsgroups: comp.society.privacy Subject: e-mail privacy Date: 26 Dec 1993 21:15:02 GMT Organization: Computer Privacy Digest Lines: 51 Sender: comp-privacy@uwm.edu Approved: comp-privacy@uwm.edu Message-ID: X-Original-Submission-Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1993 08:57:40 -0500 (EST) X-Submissions-To: comp-privacy@uwm.edu X-Administrivia-To: comp-privacy-request@uwm.edu X-Computer-Privacy-Digest: Volume 4, Issue 011, Message 1 of 6 Originator: levine@blatz.cs.uwm.edu Hello list, Thanks for all your replies. I tried to repspond to everyone, but my mail since my post has been overwhelming. (As anyone secretly monitoring my mail will surely know.) Yes, my case (and Tewhey's) at MIT have been a real circus. FYI, my problems started when I was brought in to hear that there was a complaint against me, that I would be throughly investigated in every aspect of my professional behavior, that I could be terminated and that no, I would not be allowed to see the detail of the charges against me. You heard that right, I would not be allowed to see the complaint. This could happen only at the discretion of the investigator (which, incidently, he decided to do). Most of the 'charges' were not related to me, but were a sad diatribe about how shabbily Tewhey had been treated. Also, there was nothing in the 'charges' that specified a definite statement, a time or place that I was involved in. It did, however, mention things such as what awful friends I had (people that Tewhey had reason to to be upset about). The complainant didn't know these individuals. The charges were dismissed. These charges, BTW, were handed around to others before I even knew of their existance (and while I was charged but had not yet been allowed access to the charges). The stuff on my hard drive was accessed by Tewhey friends, was given to Tewhey, not part of the investigation. The contents of the e-mail, FYI, was a pretty benign inquiry about 'who *is* this guy Tewhey & do you know what's up with him since I seem to be brought into a very bizarre business around his issues and harassment?' The reply was 'I dunno' and that was it. I have learned: If someone is up to no good - duck. Don't report any controversial issue to anyone above you, particularly through what is presented as a confidential, legitimate avenue for this sort of stuff. *Particularly* when asked. They are looking for what you know, and you can be killed for reporting in confidence. I do appreciate the many answers that I have received - they've been helpful and very supportive. If you've been amused, well, I suppose some good comes of this in being able to entertain the masses. I do think it is very important to discuss the boundaries between what of belongs to the corporation, and what belongs to our privacy and right to moral expression. The one suggestion (that has come in a few times) that I don't trust (where did trust go?) is to consult with the MIT's attorneys. Hmmm....just can't bring myself to do that. I do, however, Much appreciate any info on MIT policy around these issues. Comparing them with state and federal laws, and then examining the implementation of the 'rules', or 'policy' is just amazing. And I do have my own attorney. -Sharon