In the aftermath of 9/11, legislators cut legal corners to protect the nation. Congress should amend that now by revising certain expiring provisions of the law. Along with the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and the Bush administration’s illegal eavesdropping on U.S. citizens, the USA Patriot Act came to symbolize the excesses of the post-9/11 war…
Category: U.S.
DHS information-sharing initiative stalls due to privacy concerns
Jill R. Aitoro reports: A proposed Homeland Security Department information-sharing initiative faces ongoing funding challenges, due to congressional concerns over privacy. For the third year in a row, Congress as part of the Homeland Security spending bill prohibited DHS from using appropriated funds to stand up the National Immigration Information Sharing Operation. To start the…
Privacy Coalition Seeks Investigation of DHS Chief Privacy Office
From EPIC.org: EPIC joined the Privacy Coalition letter sent to the House Committee on Homeland Security urging them to investigate the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chief Privacy Office. DHS is unrivaled in its authority to develop and deploy new systems of surveillance. The letter cited DHS use of Fusion Center, Whole Body Imaging, funding…
Analysis: Real ID program on life support
Jaikumar Vijayan reports: A decision by lawmakers to slash funding for the unpopular Real ID national driver’s license program has put an already struggling program on life support. Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate approved a $43 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2010, which began Oct. 1….