Briefs

GAO study provides Congress with a look at info that agencies collect

BY Florence Olsen -- July 5, 2004 -- FCW

General Accounting Office officials have given Congress an extensive report on the federal government's use of data mining. Lawmakers must weigh the potential dangers exposed in the report.

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), who requested the GAO study, is considering whether to propose legislation to curb privacy abuses that can occur in data mining when unclassified computer data is shared and analyzed.

For the study, GAO auditors reviewed data mining that relies on statistical modeling techniques. The auditors defined data mining as a tool for helping analysts discover hidden patterns in data and make predictions based on those patterns. The 64-page report did not examine data-mining activities that are classified.

In a statement about the GAO findings, Akaka remarked that "the breadth of data-mining activities across the federal government involving personal information demonstrates the need for policies and safeguards."

At Akaka's request, GAO officials have begun a follow-up study that will disclose more details of federal data-mining activities. The second study could take a year to complete. Meanwhile, lawmakers and citizens are trying to gain a deeper understanding about whether they should fear data mining.

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