Fool’s Gold in the Nation’s Data-Mining Programs

Abstract

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, the government has a wide range of options to use in what has been labeled as the “War Against Terror.” Among those options is the use of data-mining programs. More than 50 federal departments and agencies are now using about 200 data-mining programs, many developed or expanded following 9/11. The federal government claims it uses the databases to help identify and track terrorists, that the programs are necessary and critical to that purpose. However, there are significant and substantial issues about invasion of privacy, violation of the constitutional rights, accuracy, and even the value and effectiveness of such programs.