Why do internet service providers keep track of the webpages we look at?

[Jessica Ray]

I've always wondered why internet service providers invade our privacy on the internet and how they know which websites were looking at. If someone is watching porn then the ISPs know that they're viewing it. For instance, I watch porn once in awhile and my mom and aunt don't know that. I'm using my own laptop and not my aunt's computer. Since the ISP people know which websites we visit and since I'm using my aunts internet service, there is a good possibility that she might find out that I watch it. Of course I'm 21, so I'm legal to watch it. So why do internet service providers monitor what we look at?

[mp]

They keep track of it, but no one there gives a crap if you watch porn. Most of their customers do. There is little to no chance your aunt can figure out what websites you're viewing, unless she specifically asks the ISP and probably not even then. It depends on which one she subscribes to. They do not send her a printout each month or anything.

The only way anyone else could see it is if they have a warrant or are part of certain branches of the federal government, but those people do not care unless you are doing something illegal. Porn is not illegal at all. (unless it's the sick perverted stuff like children or animals). Even if you are doing something mildly illegal, such as torrents, nobody cares. The only people who have access have real criminals to worry about.

[712]

If you really want privacy use a service like ToughSurf.com where you browse the web using their computers. All the temp files, cookies and data requests to websites is done from their computers. Data is encrypted between your browser and their servers so unless you are being watched by FBI (they can crack almost any current encryption) no one else (including your ISP) will know what you are searching for or watching. Of course don't do anything illegal or the FBI will find you