If any group responsible for the management of a computer system feels that any of the policies are inappropriate for their computer system, they may write their own privacy policy, but must publicize the policy. All such policies should be consistent with the principles that are outlined in Section 1. Computer privacy is not much different than privacy in other forums. If the University has a right to look in a student's dorm room, then they should have a right to look at the student's computer account. It is easier for the subject to learn of a physical search than a computer search.
Physical searches are more difficult to conduct.
I can do these things by giving out my password, having any half competent hacker tell me how, and FTPing the entire company technical database in a little over 20 minutes anywhere in the world. The Task Force concluded that in many ways, the issues of electronic privacy are not much different than more traditional privacy issues. In fact, it often served the group well to analyze issues of electronic privacy by searching for analogs from other fields. The significant difference, however, is the capacity that technology affords for widespread abuse of privacy in the electronic forum. Because most of the issues of electronic privacy are not unique, it may be possible to find guidance in Penn policies which deal generally with the issue of privacy.