Do you like the Goverment

knowning everything you do!

Letter to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Asking For An Investigation Into Improper Surveillance of Anti-War Activists in Maryland

(3/31/2009)

Automated Targeting System

The Automated Targeting System (ATS) is a security and tracking program for cargo that DHS has extended to travelers by assigning all who cross the nation's borders, citizen and non-citizen alike, with a computer-generated "risk assessment" score that will be retained for 40 years. This program represents a monumental change that will have profound effects on Americans' privacy. It:Will take the unprecedented step of putting the government into the business of creating "security ratings" for millions of its own citizens, and everyone else who crosses the U.S. border. Will likely make judgments based on government databases that we know are already riddled with errors. Will leave individuals without vital rights to review, correct or challenge security ratings or the information on which they are based. Illegitimately claims sweeping exemptions from the Privacy Act, a law that was passed specifically to prevent law enforcement from keeping files or databases on innocent people not suspected of a crime.