NCJ Number
16030
Date Published
1974
Length
104 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF DATA BANKS AND DOSSIERS, ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, AND POLITICAL INFORMING AND SPYING ON INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY.
Abstract
WHEN 'THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY' IS DISCUSSED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, MANY INTERLOCKING PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY ARISE. HOWEVER, THE 51 PARTICIPANTS IN THIS CONFERENCE, FROM VARIOUS ASSOCIATED FIELDS (COMPUTER SCIENCE, LAW, POLITICS, AND JOURNALISM, TO NAME A FEW) SET OUT TO EXAMINE THIS VERY TOPIC. THE CONFERENCE STRONGLY OPPOSED ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE FOR DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE PURPOSES. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES WAS ALSO OPPOSED, BUT ONLY BY A NARROW MARGIN. THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT INFORMING FOR POLITICAL REASONS OR MOTIVES SHOULD NOT BE CONDONED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. RECOMMENDATIONS DEALING WITH INFORMING ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES WERE CONCERNED NOT ONLY WITH THE PLANTING OF INFORMANTS IN POLITICAL GROUPS, BUT ALSO WITH SUCH TECHNIQUES AS PHOTOGRAPHY OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS AND MAINTENANCE POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE DATA BANKS. ON THE TOPIC OF DATA BANKS AND DOSSIERS,' CONFEREES EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT CRITICAL DECISIONS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WERE BEING MADE ON THE BASIS OF INACCURATE, INCOMPLETE OR IRRELEVANT INFORMATION. SEVERAL PRINCIPLES OF FAIR INFORMATION PRACTICES WERE SUGGESTED, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND THE REGULATION OF ALL INFORMATION HANDLERS. PAPERS PREPARED FOR THE CONFERENCE ARE INCLUDED. (SNI ABSTRACT)