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AP Exclusive: Despite privacy worries, more states eying anti-crime database
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sun, 01 Feb 2004 12:30:28 -0500
Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu Date: Sun, 01 Feb 2004 12:08:07 -0500 From: Frank Bajak <FBAJAK () ap org> Subject: AP Exclusive: Despite privacy worries, more states eying anti-crime database To: dave () farber net Dave, We weighed on the Matrix with out latest yesterday ... -fb ----- AP Exclusive: Despite privacy worries, more states eying anti-crime database January 31, 2004, 4:23 PM NEW YORK (AP) -- Although privacy worries led several states to pull out of a federally funded crime and terrorism database project, others are actively considering joining and thereby sharing information on their citizens, The Associated Press has learned. Mark Zadra, chief investigator for Florida state police, which runs the Matrix project, said organizers have given presentations to more than 10 Northeastern and Midwestern states in recent weeks, arguing at each stop that the database is an invaluable law enforcement tool. Officials in Iowa and North Carolina said Friday that they are exploring the system. And documents obtained through a public-records request in Florida indicate Arizona and Arkansas also may have interest in the quick-access information repository, which combines state records with 20 billion pieces of data held by a private company. For now, Matrix -- short for Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange -- involves Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Michigan. Utah's governor said Thursday that she was halting the state's participation, which was launched under her predecessor, and appointing a panel to examine security and privacy issues. Another state once involved, Georgia, said Friday it is now dropping out completely -- after the AP confronted officials with documents indicating the state was continuing to participate despite a public proclamation to the contrary in October from Gov. Sonny Perdue. Law enforcement officials say Matrix is an ultra-efficient way for investigators to get information about suspects that authorities previously had to obtain from disparate sources. They insist it includes only public records and does not make predictions about crime or terrorism. But privacy advocates say Matrix gives law enforcement too much access to private details on millions of people, resembling the Pentagon terrorism data-mining program that drew public rebuke and lost Congressional funding last year. ---- Frank Bajak / Technology Editor Associated Press / 50 Rockefeller Plaza New York, N.Y. 10020 / 212-621-1689
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- AP Exclusive: Despite privacy worries, more states eying anti-crime database Dave Farber (Feb 01)