check this out . . . seems that Total Information Awareness is being revived under a new guise . . . and run (naturally) by a private corporation! . . .
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20031105.htmlThe "Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange" Program Threatens To Revive Total Information Awareness
By ANITA RAMASASTRY
FindLaw's Legal Commentary
Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2003
"On October 30, 2003, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed simultaneous requests in Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania for information about those states' participation in the "Matrix" program. (The program's formal name is the "Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange.") In addition to the five states named above, four other states are participating -Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Utah.
"The ACLU's requests seek to find out the information sources on which the Matrix is drawing; who has access to the database; and how it is being used.They were made pursuant to each states' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Previously, in October, the ACLU had sought similar information under the federal version of FOIA, and in Florida, where the program originated."
(snip)
"The Matrix is run by a private corporation -- Seisint Inc. of Boca Raton, Florida
"-- on behalf of a cooperative group of state governments. However, it is, at least in part, federally funded -- and may, in future, allow federal access.
"The program has received $4 million from the Justice Department. It has been promised a further $8 million from the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, news reports indicate that Matrix officials have said they are considering giving access to the CIA.
"What does the Matrix do? According to Congressional testimony and news reports, it appears to do just what TIA would have done, if enacted: Tie together government and commercial databases in order to allow federal and state law enforcement entities to conduct detailed searches on particular individuals' dossiers."
- much more . . .
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20031105.html