Category «Privacy»

9-11 Commission Hearing on Privacy and Terrorism

The 9-11 Commission held a public hearing today on the topic Security and Liberty, that included witness testimony on “domestic intelligence collection, protecting privacy while preventing terrorism, and the use of immigration laws to prevent terrorism.” Prepared statement of EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg. Links to additional testimony will be added as available.

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Privacy

US-VISIT Program Receives Bi-Partisan Scrutiny

On December Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, sent a letter to Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, expressing concerns over the US-VISIT program and publication of required privacy assessment data. As noted on December 1, the Committee on Government Reform also documented concerns regarding the impact of …

Subjects: Congress, Privacy

EU Demands Compliance on E-Privacy Directive

With the expiration of an October 31 deadline for implementing the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications, the European Commission indicated that legal action against nine member states may be necessary to ensure their compliance. The directive addresses e-privacy issues that include spam, the use of cookies, and the protection of customer data by ISPs.

Subjects: E-Mail, EU Data Protection, Privacy

New Task Force Report Addresses Flaws in National Cybersecurity Infrastructure

From the press release: “The Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age today released its second report, concluding that the U.S. government has not yet taken advantage of America’s technology expertise to fight the war on terrorism. In its report, the Task Force catalogs current gaps in the nation’s system for …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Cybercrime, Privacy

DOJ and FBI Seek Regulation of VoIP Due to National Security

From today’s LA Times (reg. req’d), FBI Seeks Wiretap Capabilities for Phone Calls Made Over the Internet. As I posted yesterday, FCC Commissioner Powell released a strong statement opposing regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). According to the Times article, DOJ officials maintain that such a position would “jeopardize the ability of federal, state …

Subjects: Internet, Privacy

Personal Data and Florida/NH E-Court Docs.

The Tampa Tribune reported on November 26 (the article is now in the archives $$) that the Florida Supreme Court appointed a committee, chaired by Jon Mills, to determine new procedures to address privacy issues related to the release of personal data in electronic court records. From the Florida State Supreme Court Press Information webpage, …

Subjects: Courts, E-Government, Privacy

Cmte. Documents Concerns Regarding Collection of Visitor Info

Press release from the House Government Reform Committee: “Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) wrote last week to Secretary of State Colin Powell and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge seeking assurances about the upcoming implementation of the US-VISIT program.” “As the January deadline for implementing the program at 115 airports and 14 seaports approaches, Davis sought information …

Subjects: Congress, Privacy