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Barr Submits Formal Objections to Passenger Profiling System: “Former Congressman Bob Barr today filed a formal objection to the government’s proposed passenger profiling system, commonly known by its acronym, “CAPPS II” (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System)…Barr…submitted six pages of reasons why the proposed system violated provisions of the U.S. Constitution, including citizens’ right to privacy.” …
From Steven Aftergood at the Project on Government Secrecy: “The text of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, which prohibits the identification of “covert agents,” is available here.” From Section 421: “Whoever, having or having had authorized access to classified information that identifies a covert agent, intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent …
The Legal Status of the Don’t-Call Registry: Sooner or Later, They’ll Leave You Alone
According to Admiral James M. Loy, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), commenting on CAPPS II at briefing in Washington, D.C. on September 26, “We do need to get on with real testing of real data…” From dc.internet.com, further information on Loy’s comments, which indicate that “if no airlines voluntarily provide data for a 180-day testing …
This afternoon the President signed a bill (H.R. 3161, P.L. 108-82) that “overrules the objection of a judge in Oklahoma City who said the FTC did not have the proper authority to oversee the list.” See my posting from yesterday on the challenges that continue to face the Do Not Call registry here. See the …
Via the DC Chapter of the Special Libraries Association website, this link to a compilation of Patriot Act commentaries, news and journal articles, and postings to discussion groups, from a range of sources that include the New York Times, USA Today, PBS, LLRX.com, and librarian.net, a website which was prominently cited in the print version …
From the House Conference Report (108-283), on H.R. 2658 (263 pages, pdf): Sec. 8131. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be obligated for the Terrorism Information Awareness Program: Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to the program …
As part of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2555, Sec. 519, Congress is blocking the implementation of CAPPS II pending a review (to be completed by February 15, 2004), by the GAO, of the system’s privacy standards. Sec. 519, Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations, states in part: “None of the funds provided …
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued a press release on his introduction of a bill (H.R. 3171) to repeal sections of the Patriot Act that authorize violations of civil liberties. “The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act repeals sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that authorize sneak and peak searches, warrentless library, medical, and financial record …
The FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry has been the focus of law and legislation this week. On September 23, the registry was blocked by a court order, and on September 25, the House and Senate, exhibiting unusal unanimity and alacrity, authorized the agency’s creation of the registry. But by the evening of September 25, …
Several resources of note for those interested in the government’s collection and use of airline passenger itineraries and associated personal data: The ACLU has posted an online FOIA request for use by passengers seeking to determine whether data collected by JetBlue is now part of the DOD’s TSA database. From The Practical Nomad, a range …
On September 23, JetBlue CEO David Neeleman posted a statement on the company’s website defending the release of passenger data as a “well-intentioned attempt to assist the Department of Defense in a national security matter.” Although admitting the transfer of information was a mistake which will not happen again, Neeleman deflected the criticism swirling around …
