Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery With Daily Postings Since 2002
“EPIC has filed comments (pdf) in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that it will collect biometric and biographic information in the Arrival Departure Information System (ADIS) [Note – the ADIS System is mandated by Public Law 106-396, the Visa Waiver Program Act.] ADIS is one of at least twenty existing information systems …
The Center for Democracy and Technology issued “Proposed Guidelines for Libraries Installing Filtering under Federal Law” during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, underway in San Diego. Version 1.0 of Principles for CIPA-Mandated Filtering in Public Libraries “are intended to help libraries that are required to install Internet filtering software under the Childrens Internet Protection …
Federal Computer Week reports on a privacy controversy associated with the highly touted IRS Free File system, which last year was predominently used by low income taxpayers. For 2003 filings, the IRS requested that members of the Free File Alliance (“a Public-Private Partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and software companies in the tax software …
U.S. to Push Airlines for Passenger Records – Travel Database to Rate Security Risk Factors See my previous posts on CAPPS II here.
IRS will track Free File taxpayers: Even as the IRS encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the ease and efficiency of e-filing, news that information gathered from these services will be monitored by the agency has resulted in negative responses from industry representatives and privacy advocates.
Treasury breaks word on e-mail anonymity: “The Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) plans to publish nearly 10,000 e-mail addresses on the Web, violating its privacy promise to Americans who used e-mail to comment on a government proceeding.”
A trio of recent articles on government data mining programs: The Safeguards Needed for Government Data Mining The Department of Defense Inspector General’s Recommendations, and Beyond – Homeland data mining efforts will differ from Pentagon’s Pentagon failed to study privacy issues in data-mining effort, IG says
The Fantasy and Reality of 2004: One dozen experts in the privacy and technology arena comment on their hopes and expectations for this coming year.
Companies Alter Privacy Policies: “As online marketing matures, many companies are finding privacy policies that once seemed acceptable as constricting as clothing that has been outgrown and, like a too-tight suit, must be altered.”
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is a premium feature in many new cars. However, as this New York Times article details, these systems may be used for “Big Brother” surveillance by law enforcement, often without the knowledge or permission of the car owner.
“EPIC’s survey of the 2003 Privacy Year in Review notes the collapse of Total Information Awareness, surveillance cameras in schools, a Supreme Court victory for privacy, legal battles over the Do Not Call list, busted luggage locks, anti-terrorism law used for routine criminal investigations, and a conservative radio commentators asking for privacy.”
Information Technology Management, Terrorism Information Awareness Program, December 12, 2003, Deparment of Defense, Office of the Inspector General. “This report completes our response addressing concerns of Senators Grassley, Nelson, and Hagel and discusses whether development of the DARPA TIA program included safeguards to ensure the technology was properly managed and controlled in an operational environment…DARPA …
