[e-privacy] [NEWS] Crime database changing on privacy fears

[Andrea Glorioso]

FYI

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http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-07-18-crime-db-changes_x.htm

Crime database changing on privacy fears
By Brian Bergstein, Associated Press

NEW YORK -   The format of a  crime  and terrorism  database known  as
Matrix is being changed to  allay privacy and  legal concerns that led
several states to drop out of the federally funded project.

As it stands now,  the Multistate Anti-Terrorism  Information Exchange
combines   state vehicle and  crime  records with commercial databases
owned by a private company, Seisint, giving investigators quick access
to billions of pieces of information on potential suspects.

The $12  million pilot  project  originally was to include  13 states,
covering  half the  U.S. population. Several  dropped  out because  of
privacy concerns    or  questions   about the legality      of sending
state-owned records to Seisint's supercomputers.

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Ciao,

--
Andrea Glorioso             sama at miu-ft.org         +39 333 820 5723
        .:: Media Innovation Unit - Firenze Tecnologia ::.
	      Conquering the world for fun and profit