Chalk One Up for the Good Guys!

[JazzManJim]

Remember the Total Information Awareness project?

This little gem, part of DARPA, was essentially a giant baleen whale prowling the oceans of information and sucking up every little byte of digital plankton on everyone and everything. It was to tie in consumer transations, bank records, etc., into one huge database which the government could then use for whatever reason it saw fit.

Now I understand the motive behind the project and I understand how it truly could have been only used for good and just purposes. I also know how the government works and I know that there was no way in hell it wouldn't be abused and quickly.

So it was really nice to read this article from Reuters. There's been an amendment to a spending bill which basically puts the kaibosh on the TIA project. It suspends any spending on the project unless the Administration explains in 90 days just what the project will do and what effect on civil rights the project will have. Also, it prohibits the system being used against US citizens in the US unless they get specific congressional approval.

I'm breathing just a little bit easier. It may not be a giant civil rights victory, but it's a fairly solid one.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I think some form of the project will still happen, but, yeah, open dialogue about it is nothing but good.

 

[JazzManJim]

I think some form of the project will still happen, but, yeah, open dialogue about it is nothing but good.

I agree with you on both points. I don't think that TIA is, on it's face, a poor idea. I think the broad, undiscriminating net it initially was set to cast was a horrible one, though.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Hey, I'm pissed enough that I now have to have a different "Club Card" to get ten cents off beans for every fucking grocery store in Los Angeles. A lot of people don't konw this, but you can get a card without giving them your personal information. They can still track your number and give you coupons for things you buy, but they don't konw who you are, and cant' send you shit at home or start a lifetime buying profile on you.

If you have a club card, toss it away, go to the store, tell the manager you want a new one, and tell him the law says you don't have to give him your name, addres and phone. (And even if they insist, you don't actually have to give them the correct info, right? I'm always amazed at how easily people voluntarily give this kind of info away to merchants.)

 

[ChefChip]

I use my moms numbers on all my cards. she gets the points I ge the discounts

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[JazzManJim]

(And even if they insist, you don't actually have to give them the correct info, right? I'm always amazed at how easily people voluntarily give this kind of info away to merchants.)

I have three of those. In each case, I used the address and phone number of their HQ in my state.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

That's fucking brilliant.

 

[ChefChip]

I have three of those. In each case, I used the address and phone number of their HQ in my state.

very funny

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

Always lie! I only give out true information for tax purposes.

 

[ChefChip]

Always lie! I only give out true information for tax purposes.

and job apps

 

[Saytur]

I have three of those. In each case, I used the address and phone number of their HQ in my state.

Holy shit that's funny!!!

 

[cheesysusie]

Pish posh, what's the government going to do with my address and phone number anyway? Call me? Oh noooooo

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[ChefChip]

How about your emails?

If you're talking politics with a friend and all of a sudden, you're being called before a House Committee on UnAmerican affairs?

It's happened here before.

\
my grandfather lost his security clearnance at GE because he went to a meeting that his college was speaking at.

 

[cheesysusie]

C'mon, let me live in my little world of hearts and flowers. I didn't ask for a reality check.

And CB, that would be just UnAmerican, lol.

 

[ChefChip]

C'mon, let me live in my little world of hearts and flowers. I didn't ask for a reality check.

And CB, that would be just UnAmerican, lol.

it's nice to live in the 50's isn't it?

 

[cheesysusie]

it's nice to live in the 50's isn't it?

Yep. I even have a somewhat suitable AV for it. LOL

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

It's not about the government having the info, it's about being required to give it to them.

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

 

[ChefChip]

It's not about the government having the info, it's about being required to give it to them.

Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

could be