The results of a new Harris Interactive poll, conducted between February 12 and 16, focus on public response to increased government surveillance of citizens since 9/11. Results from this poll are consistent with one conducted a year ago, although overall support for the use of various technologies by the FBI and other government agencies did decline somewhat in most categories.
Types of surveillance rated by respondents included: facial recognition, a national ID system, airline passenger screening, the use of cameras in public places, monitoring Internet traffic, e-mail and cell phone use, as well as bank transactions.
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Daily Archives: March 11, 2003
EU Response to U.S. Demand for Passenger Data
From StateWatch, this report (PDF) from the European Parliament’s Committee on Citizens’ Freedoms expressing strong concerns about the collection and use of EU passenger data by the INS and TSA. See also How US Customs bounced the European Commission into a quick decision. Continue Reading
Public Library of Science Coming Later This Year
The Public Library of Science “is working to establish online public libraries of science that will archive and freely distribute the complete contents of every published scientific article.” For more information, see this article, Will Walls Come Tumbling Down? (free registration req’d). Continue Reading
Establishment of the Technology and Privacy Advisory Committee
From the March 10 Federal Register: “The Technology and Privacy Advisory Committee (TAPAC) is being established in consonance with public interest and in accordance with the provisions of Pub. L. 92-463, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, title 5 U.S.C., Appendix 2. The TAPAC will advise the Secretary of Defense concerning the legal and policy considerations… Continue Reading
New Bill to Protect Children on the Web
The Truth in Domain Names Act, H.R. 939, introduced on February 26. Continue Reading
New E-Commerce Bill
New e-commerce bill introduced in the House on February 26: the Jurisdictional Certainty Over Digital Commerce Act, H.R. 945. Continue Reading
GAO Authority Undermined
From OMB Watch, this commentary on the ramifications of public access to government documents in light of the February 7, 2003 announcement by the GAO that it would not pursue an appeal in Walker v. Cheney, the case to “obtain information from the National Energy Policy Development Group, August 18, 2001.” Continue Reading
Privacy Issues and Online Resumes
Poaching threatens privacy of résumés posted on job boards. Continue Reading
New Bill on Illinois FOIA
From OMB Watch: “In an effort to encourage use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to access information, Illinois State Reps. Barbara Flynn Currie and Mary K. OBrien have introduced House Bill 438 to the Illinois state legislature. The bill would provide reimbursement for court costs and attorney fees for individuals who are successful… Continue Reading
Internet Search Expert's New Book on Google
Check-out Tara Calishain’s new book, Google Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips and Tricks. Continue Reading
New E-Gov Site Not Ready for Prime Time
The launch of the Official Web Site of the President’s E-Government Initiatives seems hobbled by broken links and icons that do not load. Maybe this site is still a work in progress? Continue Reading
