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FBI Data Mining For More Than Just Terrorists
jcatcw writes "Computerworld reports that the FBI is using data mining programs to track more than just terrorists. The program's original focus was to identify potential terrorists, but additional patterns have been developed for identity theft rings, fraudulent housing transactions, Internet pharmacy fraud, automobile insurance fraud, and health-care-related fraud. From the article: 'In a statement, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the report [on the data mining] was four months late and raised more questions than it answered. The report "demonstrates just how dramatically the Bush administration has expanded the use of [data mining] technology, often in secret, to collect and sift through Americans' most sensitive personal information," he said. At the same time, the report provides an "important and all-too-rare ray of sunshine on the department's data mining activities," Leahy said. It would give Congress a way to conduct "meaningful oversight" he said.'"
Nothing to see here. This story was on the front page less than 24 hours ago3 24211
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/11/2
You call me a pedant? I prefer the term "correct"
I hope that your FBI has better success with Data Mining than junk mailers. How may credit card offers have you had this week? Responded to any?
These companies are big-time users of Data Mining and your name was no doubt picked as a 'likely to respond'.
I work for a bank that is a heavy user of 'Data Mining'. Often the best we can do is 2 or 3 percent better than 'no mail' (lift over control for those of you in the industry).
If you can build a model that results in five percent response above 'no mail' you are looking at a 'Great Success' to quote Borat.
I think the best approach to finding potential terrorists is ground-level intelligence myself. Just my two cents . .
"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" - John Lydon, San Francisco 1978
If you're interested in reading about some of their current practices, read Craig Rosebraugh's "Burning Rage of a Dying Planet". Rosebraugh was the de facto "spokesman" for the ELF (back before 9/11, when they still existed), but committed no actual crimes. He discusses at length the tactics the FBI/ATF/NSA used to try to get him to snitch... it's a decent read.