[CLUE-Talk] TIA

[Jeffery Cann]

Total Information Awareness project (i.e., Big Brother), brought to you by 
DARPA (gotta love the logo):

 + http://www.darpa.mil/iao/TIASystems.htm

Here's some highlights from the 'plan':

~ Expand Communications Surveillance Capabilities - TIA wants computers to 
look and listen for "interesting" information and patterns in our electronic 
communications (phone calls, e-mail, instant messaging, websites, etc.) using 
speech-to-text, language translation and text-mining technologies.

~ Link and Search All Public and Private Databases - TIA wants to build a 
virtual "meta-base" of information that would include everything from your 
child's medical history to what groceries you buy. This would also be 
passively searched for patterns.

~ Biometric Identification - TIA proposes aggressive research into biometric 
surveillance technology like facial, iris, expression, and gait recognition. 
This technology would allow your movements to be tracked without your consent 
or knowledge.
---

Like most government initiatives, the 'plan' is to use such software and 
database to 'only fight terrorism'.  Unfortunately, once such a system is 
built, I believe there will be other law enforcement agencies looking to mine 
information from it.  The real question is this:  do you trust our government 
with such a complete package of information about its citizens?  I do not.

This is a critical time in our country.  We need to act now to preserve the 
liberties you and I take for granted.  I urge you to read about this 
initiative and then write your Federal Representatives (including the 
President) to tell them your thoughts.  Here's some additional information 
from EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

 + http://www.eff.org/Privacy/TIA

Also, if you are already not a member of the EFF, please consider joining.

Jeff

-- 
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http://jefferycann.com/