US Shuts Down Controversial Anti-Terror Database

coondoggie writes "The massive anti-terror database established by the US government has been criticized for keeping track of regular everyday citizens. Computerworld reports that as of September 17th, the database will be shut down. 'The Threat and Local Observation Notices or TALON, was established in 2002 by then-Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz as a way to collect and evaluate information about possible threats to U.S. service members and defense civilians all over the world. Congress and others protested its apparent use as an unauthorized citizen tracking database. The TALON system came under fire in 2005 for improperly storing information about some civilian individuals and non-government-affiliated groups on its database. The Air Force developed TALON... in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a way to gather data on possible terrorist threats. Anti-war groups and other organizations, protested after it was revealed last year that the military had monitored anti-war activities, organizations and individuals who attended peace rallies.'"

To be shutdown...

[jellomizer]

Then turned on back again only when it is needed... It is not about privacy it is about running green. Using less power by turning off the database when you don't need it.

What does TALON stand for?

[InvisblePinkUnicorn]

I'm sorry, but the summary only explains the acronym twice, when I require a minimum of 3 times before I can be certain of its meaning.

Re:Wink Wink Nod Nod...

[zentigger]

yeah killed, as in kill -1

Obligatory new spam from this "data"

[plasmacutter]

"Cialis, because you never know when the time you test your bomb at university will become the right time"

Re:Maybe I can fly now.

[aplusjimages]

I don't know, with a name like Anonymous you're bound to be flagged.

Re:slashdotliberalwhining?

[mcmonkey]

libertarians would not complain about the closure of a government anything.

Yeah, but lose one book, and you'll never hear the end of it!

STALLION

[EmbeddedJanitor]

Secret Threat and Local Liberal Interferer Observation Notice

Re:And they are waiting for another month because?

[Anonymous Coward]

Donald Rumsfeld uses a USB 1.0 pendrive.

Re:Shut down

[The Angry Mick]

And merged into..?

Fixed that for you.