Interpol chief wants databases to track criminals

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The problem with these highly intrusive methods

is that they have a habit of migrating to other unexpected areas, or once in place, are employed for different reasons. This is what lawyers refer to as the "slippery slope". Right now, they claim they need to have this information to stop terrorists. How can anyone object to that? But then, later, we find out that this program will probably be expanded to catch child abusers, to stop people from leaving the country who owe money to creditors, for the war on drugs, etc etc., until it is being used for completely different purposes to the original stated intent.

Don't get me wrong, I detest terrorists and child abusers like any normal human being, but the potential for abuse and misuse of such intrusive methods is frightening. One of the reasons why the Nazis were able to located and identify the Jewish population in order to exterminate them is that they had excellent data collection practices - they knew where everyone lived and worked, and they had family records dating back generations.

What is really scary is that surrendering this information to Interpol means that even if you are incorrectly suspected of being a terrorist (if your name is similar to someone else's, but you are completely innocent, or simply if there is a mistake made) there is no mechanism to have your name deleted from their database, and no liability if you suffer damages due to such mistaken identification, even if the damages and costs suffered are significant.

Look at the "no fly" list. Many well known people are on it, because "blanket" information gathering usually results in many mistakes being made. Do you think that people can get themselves taken off the "no fly list", even if they can prove they are not terrorists? Absolutely Not!

Posted by: legalista   Posted on: 07/16/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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