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Tracking the Footprints on a Digital Trail
Abstract: An article in the June 9th issue of the New York Times discusses how surveillance cameras and personal financial transactions have become a prime data source for U.S. law enforcement agencies. The article discusses how law enforcement agencies routinely obtain data from surveillance cameras installed in parking lots, toll booths, elevators, and ATM machines. Law enforcement agencies also obtain "electronic footprints" (i.e., data) from telephone records, bank records, and airline reservation systems. Written by the president of a security consulting firm and a lawyer specializing in computer crime, the article appears on page D5.
Cybercrooks, Beware: Here Come the Cybercops
Abstract: An article in the June 9th issue of Newsweek reviews several methods that American law enforcement agents use to catch computer criminals. These include recovering deleted files, using software that records a user's Internet activity, and using programs that defeat password protection features embedded in operating systems and some software. The article was written by staff reporter Peter Katel and appears on page 86.
Scientific Consensus Backs Sampling for 2000 Census
Abstract: On June 10th a National Academy of Sciences panel endorsed statistical sampling for the 2000 Census, the Washington Post reported on June 11th. The panel stated: "We do not believe that a census of acceptable accuracy and cost is possible without the use of sampling procedures." According to the Post article, statisticians, geographers, and others involved with census methodology contend that it is counterproductive for census workers to attempt to reach every resident. They also claim that doing so would be extremely expensive and might introduce errors as people move from place to place.
Congressional Republicans have argued that sampling for the 2000 Census would be unconstitutional, vulnerable to manipulation, and less accurate than a "door to door" census. They also feel that sampling could cause the loss of dozens of Republican House seats to Democrats. The House leadership feels the results of a "door to door" census is worth the extra expense.
The Census Bureau plans to try to collect a complete questionnaire from every American household, then contact a representative sample of nonrespondents. Then the Bureau would survey 750,000 households to determine the first count's accuracy. If discrepancies exist, bureau employees will reinterview households. Data collected from these operations will be merged to produce population and demographic estimates.
On Monday, President Clinton vetoed the midwest flood-relief bill because of two Republican amendments, one the ban on sampling. Republicans have vowed to continue trying to keep sampling out of the next census. Appearing on page A4, the article was written by Post staff writer Barbara Vobejda.
Personal Files Via Computer
Offer Money and Pose Threat
Abstract: A New York Times special report - Lives on File, The Erosion of Privacy - appeared as a front page article in the June 12th issue. This comprehensive report examines the explosive growth in the demand for information by entities in almost every sector of the American economy and everyday life. Among the topics the report addresses are:
Prison inmates are used for data entry, records processing, microfilming, digital mapping, and other information processing - for both public agencies and private clients;
corporations use compiled data to develop marketing profiles and comprehensive dossiers on individuals without their knowledge;
there is significant potential for criminals to use "data profiles", in crimes ranging from credit card fraud to rape;
Americans have little legal protection when data and information about them is collected, stored, disseminated, and used.
The article is over two pages long and was written by Times staff journalist Nina Bernstein.
Rare Alliance On Privacy For Software
Abstract: According the an article in the New York Times, the Microsoft Corporation and the Netscape Communications Corporation have proposed a standards for Internet privacy software. Prodded by public concern, Microsoft, Netscape, and 100 other corporations (Including IBM and Sun Microsystems) will endorse the Workd Wide Web Consortium's broader efforts to determine what common language web site operators will use, what personal information will be obtained from users visiting websites, and how that information will be used. The proposed standard will be called "the platform for privacy preferences." The standard is part of an overall effort to persuade the public and the Government that the information industry can provide the public with effective on-line privacy protection - without the need for Federal regulation. Written by Times business journalist Steve Lohr, the article appears on page D1.