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Another Anti-Terror List Impacting Businesses, Customers

Posted by Zonk on from the how-dare-you-be-named-that dept.

HangingChad writes "MSNBC is running a story about yet another government database designed to thwart terrorists and drug dealers that is having impact on people with similar names. Like a no-fly list for businesses, the Office of Foreign Asset Control's list of 'specially designated nationals' has been used in the past by banks and other financial institutions to block financial transactions of drug dealers and other criminals. Use of the list was expanded after 9-11 and now includes almost any financial transaction. Moreover, there is no minimum amount of money attached to penalties for selling to someone on the list: selling a sandwich to a 'specially designated national' can have a fine for up to '$10 million and 10 to 30 years in prison.' The article goes on: 'Businesses have used it to screen applicants for home and car loans, apartments and even exercise equipment, according to interviews and a report by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay area to be issued today.'"

3 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. The List by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Want to check for your name?

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  2. Simple Solution by sam_handelman · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Instead of going opt-out, we go opt-in.

      Anyone who isn't a terrorist receives some kind of permanent identification - say, on the forehead or on the hand - which would enable you to engage in these transactions without concern that the person you're dealing with is a terrorist, drug dealer, etc.

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  3. Mark of the Beast! by twitter · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Ah, that age old dream and nightmare of complete control

    And [the Antichrist] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save [except] he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

    Translated as:

    there is no minimum amount of money attached to penalties for selling to someone on the list: selling a sandwich to a 'specially designated national' can have a fine for up to '$10 million and 10 to 30 years in prison.'

    How nice.

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