What the Surveillance State Does With Your Private Data 81
Lasrick writes "Conor Friedersdorf at the Atlantic writes up a new report (and infographic) from the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School. 'What the Government Does With Americans' Data' is the best single attempt I've seen to explain all of the ways that surveillance professionals are collecting, storing, and disseminating private data on U.S. citizens. The report's text and helpful flow-chart illustrations run to roughly 50 pages. Unless you're already one of America's foremost experts on these subjects, it is virtually impossible to read this synthesis without coming away better informed.."
Cough (Score:5, Interesting)
Unless you're already one of America's foremost experts on these subjects,
Okay first, two things: Other countries are doing this too. Their experts are not any less 'expert-y' than the USA is. In fact, I'm betting they can at least build a data center that doesn't spontaniously shoot lightning at the equipment and catch fire. Soo... sorry but maybe you need to just stick with "expert" without the qualifier there, mate.
Second, why do you have to be a "foremost expert" on this? I see plenty of people in this thread that know everything! *cough* But more seriously; You don't have to work for the government, or be a security expert, to figure out how they use the data. Look at what they have access to, look at their stated goals, then forget the stated goals and look at what they're actually trying to do and have done... and it's easy-peasy:
They're supplying the internet with limitless porn captured from surveillance footage. Duh. Where do you think all the crappy amateur pics come from?
Yeah, right (Score:5, Interesting)
I stopped at the little "info-graphic". Where's the DEA? We've already heard about their Special Operations Division [slashdot.org] and how it hides the true sources of intelligence from defendants. So I'm going to doubt that this article covers the entire scope of information sharing. It may be accurate, but I think there are still a lot of holes.
And what about unofficial information sharing? Got a buddy in the FBI? What to know what your business competitors are up to? No problem. We have their files right here.
Re:Yeah, right (Score:4, Interesting)
The other thing that bothers me: The graphic shows an information flow out from the NCTC to the Treasury Department. Now, I understand information flowing in. Who is funding which terrorists*. But there is no conceivable enforcement action that the Treasury/IRS can take in a terrorism case.
*In theory. Practically, a major terrorist attack (think 9/11) can easily be funded by a very small cash flow compared to typical corporate expenditures. Nobody spotted Bernie Madoff. The money he took that they still can't find could theoretically create an endowment that could support a few terrorist cells in perpetuity.