Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security’s Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee approved a report called the “Framework for Privacy Analysis of Programs, Technologies, and Applications.” It is a step-by-step checklist for reviewing security programs in light of their consequences for privacy and related values.
I’m a member of the Committee and worked hard on writing the document and moving it through the Committee. This renders the Privacilla press release about it bizarrely self-congratulatory. But, in it, I’ve said:
“Privacy” is a word used to describe many interests, including confidentiality, anonymity, seclusion, fairness, transparency, accountability, and liberty. These are things that all Americans believe in, want, and enjoy. As privacy advocates, we are asking for good government and pursuing values that most Americans hold dear. The DHS Privacy Committee’s Framework document helps make this clearer.
(With this ‘blog post, you can add bizarrely self-referential to bizarrely self-congratulatory.)
Along with the privacy discussion, the document calls for risk-based explanation of homeland security programs. The things DHS does should directly and logically address genuine risks to national security. It’s time to end the do-anything, do-everything stance that homeland security efforts have taken since 9/11.
Now that the DHS Privacy Committee’s Framework document is out, smart, focused national security can begin! Privacy and civil liberties can be restored! Birds can sing again!
The Technology Liberation Front is the tech policy blog dedicated to keeping politicians' hands off the 'net and everything else related to technology.
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