We have a very creepy "Big Brother"

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Now we have the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcing it's Homeless Management Information Strategies (HMIS). According to HUD: " By gathering and analyzing solid data on the individuals and families who use homeless service systems, communities and the Nation can work to end this crisis."

EPIC has brought this to our attention, and has a discussion of the policy and a factsheet on the new program.

The program is designed to collect extensive and sensitive data on individuals and families seeking services. This information will be stored on a centralized database which is accessible to various organizations - including the police. EPIC details a number of issues with the program in relationship to privacy rights and civil liberties.

Synopsis of issues from the factsheet:
- potential development of a nationwide tracking system
- gives unlimited police access to the data
- computer security for the systems are no better than for a home computer user with off-the-shelf security software
- provides no protection for those who are victims of domestic violence
- provides no protection for those with HIV, AIDS, or other diseases.

While the bill itself is disturbing and should be resisted, the trend disturbs me even more. Since there has been increasing opposition to monitoring everything that everyone in the US does, the tracking is being put forward piecemeal with the "least desirable" at the top of the list. DNA databases of criminals, unfettered surveillance of non-citizens, now, tracking of the homeless and indigent. The arguments for these systems range from "improving cross agency communication," to "protecting us from criminals," to "protecting the tax payer from fraud," to "national security," to "better service provision and efficiency." Picking groups that are stigmatized already means less complaint from the public -- or even support. Rapidly we have the total erosion of privacy and liberty. Someone is always watching. Increasingly, there is no way to not "leave tracks." You can't "opt out" of this type of invasion which is much more pernicious than unsolicited calls or emails. Ultimately, piece by piece, we have the Total Information Awareness system whether we want it or not -- whether it is funded or not.

It is time for people to wake up and realize that a guerilla war on our democracy is being waged. It is covered in rhetoric and jingoism and is promoted by fear and bias. It plays to the worst side of the US psyche - the side that is all too willing to hate the "other" and "do whatever is necessary" to protect itself. It is the side that time after time has led this nation willingly into atrocious actions. I urge you to once again contact your legislators (they are "home" now on break). Address the HMIS with them, but also your broader concerns about the direction of our nation. Do what you can to stop the slide down the "slippery slope." Don't let the continuing attacks on those with the least voice in our society go unchallenged.

Posted by rowan at August 23, 2003 08:25 AM | TrackBack | Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |