Conferences discuss 'privacy vs. security'

March 24, 2003 - Privacy News

Attendees at two Washington, D.C., discussions on Thursday aired various views on whether high-tech "security" programs such as TIA and CAPPS can be reconciled with civil liberties -- and, for that matter, whether they will actually work. Former Virginia governor James Gilmore (head of the National Advisory Committee on Terrorism) questioned the effect on society of some of these technology solutions, noting that even if we gave up individuality, privacy, and anonymity, total security could not be guaranteed. James Woolsey, former directory of the CIA, suggested that U.S. citizens may have to make compromises between civil liberties and security, but also cautioned that lawmakers need to keep an eye on privacy and other rights. Jim Dempsey, executive directory of the Center for Democracy and Technology, questioned whether data-mining approaches will even work.

Source: IDG News Services via Infoworld

More information is available at <http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/03/20/HNprivacy_1.html>.

Last updated March 25, 2003