Monster.gov II
It looks like Mark Gibbs at Network World, an IT weekly, agrees with my term for TIA. The good news part of his article, The Total Information Monster, says the system probably can't be built, but the bad news part describes what happens if it can:
The key issues are simple. First, can such a system be built? I would suggest that it can't. Sure, a data management framework can be put together, but think of the scale of this project: The problems of reliability and data hygiene are insurmountable.
Secondly, the potential for abuse is enormous. If they succeed in building it, what would be considered an abuse of the database early in its life would, in time, become an acceptable use.
Initially, the database would be used for what it was intended - to identify terrorists. Then the CIA and FBI would get access for other reasons, such as fighting organized crime. Then the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Immigration and Naturalization Service will wheedle in for "sound reasons." And before we know it the Forestry Commission and Bureau of Land Management will be feeding at the trough.
Thursday, December 05, 2002