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Daily Archives: January 13, 2004

US-Visit Program Stirs Controversy, and Seems to Lack Exit Strategy

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“EPIC has filed comments (pdf) in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that it will collect biometric and biographic information in the Arrival Departure Information System (ADIS) [Note – the ADIS System is mandated by Public Law 106-396, the Visa Waiver Program Act.] ADIS is one of at least twenty existing information systems used by US-VISIT, the vast new program that tracks the travel of foreign nationals to and from the United States. EPIC argued that ADIS should not be exempt from Privacy Act requirements, and urged DHS to reduce a proposed 100-year data retention period and comply with international privacy standards.”

  • Also from EPIC, the Department of Homeland Security has released a Privacy Impact Assessment for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology.
  • And from Federal Computer Week, US-VISIT entry system begins, but exit strategy uncertain: “The exit procedure has not been finalized, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Miami Seaport cruise line terminals are testing one option, self service kiosks. Officials will also be testing other exit solutions, such as handheld devices, throughout the year.”

    • Proposed Guidelines for Installing Library Web Filtering

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    The Center for Democracy and Technology issued “Proposed Guidelines for Libraries Installing Filtering under Federal Law” during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, underway in San Diego. Version 1.0 of Principles for CIPA-Mandated Filtering in Public Libraries “are intended to help libraries that are required to install Internet filtering software under the Childrens Internet Protection… Continue Reading

    Tax Software Industry Concerned Over Free E-Filing and Privacy

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    Federal Computer Week reports on a privacy controversy associated with the highly touted IRS Free File system, which last year was predominently used by low income taxpayers. For 2003 filings, the IRS requested that members of the Free File Alliance (“a Public-Private Partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and software companies in the tax software… Continue Reading

    Sen. Clinton Proposes Standardized Medical Reporting System

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    From Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s press release of January 12 on upcoming legislation to implement technology solutions to address the efficient delivery of health care, the proposal includes five major goals: Increasing research on quality of care; providing the public with a standardized reporting system that allows consumers to reliably compare performance; building an information… Continue Reading