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US Shuts Down Controversial Anti-Terror Database

Posted by Zonk on from the one-less-affront dept.

coondoggie writes "The massive anti-terror database established by the US government has been criticized for keeping track of regular everyday citizens. Computerworld reports that as of September 17th, the database will be shut down. 'The Threat and Local Observation Notices or TALON, was established in 2002 by then-Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz as a way to collect and evaluate information about possible threats to U.S. service members and defense civilians all over the world. Congress and others protested its apparent use as an unauthorized citizen tracking database. The TALON system came under fire in 2005 for improperly storing information about some civilian individuals and non-government-affiliated groups on its database. The Air Force developed TALON... in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a way to gather data on possible terrorist threats. Anti-war groups and other organizations, protested after it was revealed last year that the military had monitored anti-war activities, organizations and individuals who attended peace rallies.'"

9 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. To be shutdown... by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Then turned on back again only when it is needed... It is not about privacy it is about running green. Using less power by turning off the database when you don't need it.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. What does TALON stand for? by InvisblePinkUnicorn · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm sorry, but the summary only explains the acronym twice, when I require a minimum of 3 times before I can be certain of its meaning.

  3. Re:Wink Wink Nod Nod... by zentigger · · Score: 4, Funny

    yeah killed, as in kill -1

    --

    the above is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect that of the little voices in my head

  4. Obligatory new spam from this "data" by plasmacutter · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Cialis, because you never know when the time you test your bomb at university will become the right time"

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    VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
  5. Re:Maybe I can fly now. by aplusjimages · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't know, with a name like Anonymous you're bound to be flagged.

    --
    Can I bum a sig?
  6. Re:slashdotliberalwhining? by mcmonkey · · Score: 3, Funny

    libertarians would not complain about the closure of a government anything.

    Yeah, but lose one book, and you'll never hear the end of it!

  7. STALLION by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 5, Funny

    Secret Threat and Local Liberal Interferer Observation Notice

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    Engineering is the art of compromise.
  8. Re:And they are waiting for another month because? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Donald Rumsfeld uses a USB 1.0 pendrive.

  9. Re:Shut down by The+Angry+Mick · · Score: 3, Funny

    And merged into..?

    Fixed that for you.

    --

    I'm not tense. I'm just terribly, terribly, alert.