Just read that my local library keeps a full year of computer search logs

I was looking into public records requests in my city, Seattle, and found a document from the library system. It said they keep logs of every search made on their public computers for 12 months. I mean, I get they need some logs for tech issues, but a whole year feels long. It made me wonder what else gets tracked that we don't know about. Has anyone else looked into what their own local public services keep on file?

3 comments

3 Comments

caseythompson29d ago

Wait, you can actually get those records? I always figured they cleared that stuff out after a week or two. A full year of searches logged is kind of wild, it makes me rethink using those computers for anything personal at all.

oliver_nguyen1529d ago

Right? It's crazy how long that stuff sticks around. I used a library computer to check my bank balance once and got paranoid for months. My cousin works IT at a community college and said they keep logs way longer than people assume, like for security audits. Makes you want to just use your phone data for everything personal.

the_margaret29d ago

Ever wonder who actually looks at those logs?