[Foundation-l] should not web server logs (of requests) be published?

[WJhonson at aol.com]

I'm afraid our Tatar is correct in some senses and others in this thread 
are in a failing  or failed mode.

Each web server, of which the WMF has a few, collects details on the 
behaviour of IPs, in logs.  Those logs can be and probably have been requested by 
certain government officials, most likely for the purpose of tracking down 
who is behind a certain "Bad" posting to a BLP.

In addition, courts can make such orders in order to determine an otherwise 
"John Doe" named in a suit, such as for libel, etc.  It's happened it will 
continue to happen, the WMF does keep such logs.

Knowing the IP, it can then be tracked back to that user's ISP and a log 
again requested to determine the exact person, or at least business or 
household, who used the IP at that exact time.  So playing with words, doesn't let 
us get around that point.

I'm still not clear why we would want to know the IP exactly for analytical 
purposes.  Some intrepid programmer could write a program which would 
simply collect detailed analysis of a person's in-world behaviour and call them 
"Bob992" instead of 13.42.204.192 or whatever.  Making the information 
packets anonymous.  That would still allow any sort of analysis the Tatars want to 
make, and not reveal any private information.

W