Government data silos demolished by DOGE, resulting in the construction of a 'monitoring tool'
In the realm of government surveillance, the United States has a rich and complex history, dating back to World War II signals intelligence activities and culminating in contemporary mass surveillance programs. This history is marked by significant developments, such as the creation of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the passage of the Privacy Act of 1974.
The Privacy Act of 1974, a legislative response to public concern over government abuses of personal data, established a framework governing federal agencies’ collection, maintenance, and use of personal data to safeguard individuals’ privacy rights. Agencies must provide individuals access to their records and establish safeguards against unauthorized access or disclosure.
However, subsequent events, particularly post-9/11, have seen expansions of surveillance authority. The 2001 Patriot Act and subsequent presidential authorizations dramatically expanded NSA surveillance capabilities, often bypassing constraints imposed by FISA laws protecting privacy. This led to controversies over mass surveillance programs authorized under presidential powers, with some officials questioning their constitutionality.
Recent developments suggest a new chapter in this history. The Department of Government Efficiency, under the Trump administration, is building a master database at the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled "Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos" in March, directing agencies to give the federal government "unfettered access" to information.
This master database is reportedly using information from various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and voting records. The building of this database is part of an "unprecedented effort to dismantle longstanding guardrails to protect our privacy rights and civil liberties."
Former Sen. Sam J. Ervin (D-NC), the Privacy Act's authorizer, once warned that "The more the Government or any institution knows about us, the more power it has over us. When the Government knows all of our secrets, we stand naked before official power."
Advocates recommend expanding the ability of judges and individuals to step in when the executive branch goes rogue, as well as strengthening the independence of the inspector general and conducting more Congressional oversight. Last year, Congress reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows for warrantless surveillance, including domestically.
The master database, if given "virtually unfettered access to sensitive information on millions of people," could enable the government to use its already powerful tools to supercharge mass surveillance. Concerns are particularly high regarding the potential targeting of immigrants first and foremost, with even more chilling consequences for civil liberties.
The U.S. Census Bureau's collected data is not shared with other federal agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, a testament to the need to strengthen existing protections and develop new ones against government surveillance. As we move forward, it is crucial to balance the need for security with the protection of our privacy rights and civil liberties.
References: 1. https://www.history.com/news/nsa-history-timeline
- The Privacy Act of 1974, a response to government abuses of personal data, established safeguards to protect individuals' privacy rights, requiring federal agencies to provide access to records and set up safeguards against unauthorized access or disclosure.
- However, post-9/11 events saw expansions of surveillance authority, with the 2001 Patriot Act and subsequent presidential authorizations dramatically expanding the National Security Agency's (NSA) capabilities, often bypassing FISA laws protecting privacy.
- Recent developments under the Trump administration include the creation of a master database at the Department of Homeland Security, built to give the federal government "unfettered access" to information, potentially supercharging mass surveillance.
- The potential impact of this master database is of significant concern, particularly regarding the potential targeting of immigrants first and foremost, with even more chilling consequences for civil liberties.
- As we move forward, it is crucial to balance the need for security with the protection of our privacy rights and civil liberties, strengthening existing protections against government surveillance.
