Saturday, October 15, 2005

MATRIX

Despite denials and attempts to downplay the role of data mining in the Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange (MATRIX) program, the new documents reveal that data mining - also known by the euphemism "factual data analysis" - has been a central part of the program. Data mining is controversial because it involves not the attempt to learn more facts about known suspects, but mass scrutiny of the lives and activities of innocent people (through the information signatures they leave behind in various databases) to see whether each of them shows any signs of being a terrorist or other criminal.

Does this leave a nasty taste, or what?

Does the Data Protection Act protect us from actions like this in the UK?

cq

5 comments:

CyberKitten said...

(holds hand up)

Admits to nasty taste... (spit)

craziequeen said...

That's just unbelievable...data mining amongst ordinary people...

jeez, I hope Blair doesn't follow Bush down this windy track!!

cq

CyberKitten said...

You holding your breath....?

They probably already do it here... Both of us are now flagged in their database.... as is anyone reading this... (grin)

(cue spooky music)

craziequeen said...

Well, with our employment background, we should be used to Big Brother being constantly on our tails :-)

But it is a weird feeling, knowing someone is watching/listening...

HULLO??? Anyone there?? Kennedy for Prime Minister!!

[that should p*** them off!]

cq

Juggling Mother said...

I rather doubt that the miners have the time or interest to actually look at our lives unless there is anything there that waves a red flag in their faces.

Still, Mr A was warned that marrying me would affect his career/promotion prospects (apparently just living with me wasn't such a problem: I love the way the establishment thinks)