MATRIX Database Schema Altered Due to Privacy Concerns

nusratt writes "Associated Press: 'The Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange combines state vehicle and crime records with commercial databases owned by a private company, Seisint, covering half the U.S. population,' but there were 'questions about the legality of sending state-owned records to Seisint'. The solution? "Each state will maintain its own records . . . Software will search each state's records as necessary.' 'The new setup is designed to get around obstacles in some states' data laws.'"

Comments

Battleground states -- fight back!

[Randym]

Four of the five states still in the MATRIX program (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio) are considered "battleground states". If you are in a political organization trying to get the Shrub out of office, here is a major opportunity, through educating your fellow citizens about MATRIX, to swing the election. To the Democrats, emphasize the privacy-invading concerns that you have, pointing out the similarity to the police state tactics used by Nixon in the Sixties. To the Republicans, emphasize the Big Government and anti-Constitutionality (specifically 4th Amendment) aspects of the MATRIX. In either case, end your rant with "Remember, Big Brother is watching!" and SMILE. This is guaranteed to send a chill down their spine -- whoever they are.

(If they are a little more hip, you might want to end with something like,"Hello, Mr. [their last name here], we've been waiting for you!" in your best Agent Smith voice.)