New Bill Seeks to Protect Homeland and Civil Liberties

“Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security and Congressman Jim Turner (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Committee, and House Democrats, yesterday introduced the Strengthening Homeland Innovation by Emphasizing Liberty, Democracy, and Privacy Act, or SHIELD Privacy Act, to strengthen homeland security by protecting privacy and civil liberties.” Text of …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Privacy

FTC Seeks Comments for Workshop on RFID

Public Workshop: Radio Frequency Identification – Applications and Implications for Consumers, to be held June 21, 2004. “The workshop will address both current and anticipated uses of RFID tags and their impact on the marketplace.” Federal Register notice: extension of public comment period on RFID issues.

Subjects: E-Commerce, Privacy

Blog on Canadian Privacy Law Issues

Attorney David T.S. Fraser’s blog on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Canadian privacy law issues provides a wealth of resources, commentary and links, frequently updated, from his home base in the wonderful city of Halifax.

Subjects: Privacy

Documents From 9/11 Commission Hearing Today

Staff Statement No. 14: Crisis Management Links to submitted testimony. Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani’s statement is not currently online, but for reference, see Giuliani Mounts Spirited Defense of City’s Response to 9/11. From the Commission’s Media Advisory of today: “The 9-11 Commission has selected W. W. Norton & Company as the authorized publisher of …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

GAO Report Calls for Independence and Balance on Federal Advisory Cmtes.

From a new GAO report, Federal Advisory Committees: Additional Guidance Could Help Agencies Better Ensure Independence and Balance (149 pages, pdf): “Federal advisory committees have been called the “fifth arm of government” because of the significant role they play in advising federal agencies, the Congress, and the President on important national issues. To be effective, …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

Privacy Group Issues Report Critical of EU Passenger Data Agreement With US

From Privacy International: “On May 17, 2004 the European Commission approved an agreement to transfer passenger details to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, an agreement established in the name of, but that has little to do with, the war on terror.” Privacy International has published this report, Transferring Privacy and Inadequate Adequacy, documenting what …

Subjects: EU Data Protection, Privacy

New Subscription Access to CRS Reports

From the May 17 press release: “GalleryWatch.com has expanded its partnership with Penny Hill Press to provide subscriber’s access to all numbered Congressional Research Service (CRS) documents and Electronic Briefing Books, from January 2003 to the present. The services are available on a subscription basis via the Web through www.GalleryWatch.com or on DVD-ROM. The Web …

Subjects: Government Documents