Briefs

April 23, 2004 -- From National Journal's Technology Daily

Two Democratic senators asked their colleagues to support a bill requiring all federal agencies to report to Congress about using data-mining technology.

Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Russell Feingold of Wisconsin sent a "Dear Colleague" letter soliciting support for their measure, S. 1544, which they argued would fulfill lawmakers' obligation to oversee and ensure federal agencies are not undermining privacy and civil liberties by using data-mining technology.

The bill would not terminate current data-mining projects or seek to regulate data-mining, the letter read.

The senators said the Pentagon's Total Information Awareness program provides an example of how not to approach the use of citizens' data and data-mining technology. Congress recently stopped funding the program after questions surfaced about its effectiveness.

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