ACLU details problems with Matrix data-mining program [priv]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: New Matrix revelations
Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 13:10:35 -0400
From: Stanley, Jay <jstanley () aclu org>
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>

Declan,

The ACLU has obtained new documents on the Matrix data-mining program. 
Among our findings:

   ** The Department of Homeland Security not only financed the Matrix 
program, as has previously been reported, but actually assumed 
managerial control.

   ** Florida Governor Jeb Bush has personally taken a lead role in 
selling the program.

   ** Vice President Cheney was given a personal briefing on and plea 
for support for the Matrix program by Governor Bush in January 2003.

   ** New details about the centrality of data mining in the program - 
publicly denied by Matrix officials - including something called "High 
Terrorist Factor scores."

   ** The company that runs Matrix provided the authorities with a list 
of 120,000 names of individuals who scored highly on this "High 
Terrorist Factor" analysis.

A brief white paper discussing the revelations as well as a release, the 
documents themselves, and other materials, are online at www.aclu.org/matrix

For your list, if you wish.

Best,

Jay

~~~~~~~~~~~
Jay Stanley
Communications Director, Technology and Liberty Program
American Civil Liberties Union
202-715-0818
Fax 202-546-0738
www.aclu.org/privacy


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