NASA Requires JPL Scientists To Give Up Right To Privacy

Markmarkmark writes "Wired is reporting that all NASA JPL scientists must 'voluntarily' (or be fired) sign a document giving the government the right to investigate their personal lives and history 'without limit'. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists this includes snooping into sexual orientation, mental & physical health as well as credit history and 'personality conflict'. 28 senior NASA scientists and engineers, including Mars Rover team members, refused to sign by the deadline and are now subject to being fired despite a decade or more of exemplary service. None of them even work on anything classified or defense related. They are suing the government and documenting their fight for their jobs and right to personal privacy."

Comments

If you don't like it, leave your govt. job.

[Zymergy]

How can Americans really be concerned about this?
-Try getting a job for the US Postal Service or even try to enlist into the US Military; -There are significant background checks, waivers, and forms required.
Waiving certain 4th (and probably 5th) Amendment privacy rights are part of said employment for the government. If you do not like it, leave the job.
Much of what JPL does is subject to espionage and/or industrial espionage not to mention they certainly need access to classified information and technologies (for example: the positions/orbits & maneuverabilities of US Spy satellites and other 'stuff' in orbit), consider JPL's missions and its history: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/fact_sheets/jpl.pdf

If you can't pass the background checks, get a job elsewhere. It should be a privilege to work for the JPL and the cutting edge research and technological achievements it creates. Besides, this is a US Government entity, not a civilian corporation.
Your rights to privacy CANNOT be more important than National Security. Even IF said employees can't see why.
I'd wager that the Janitors and Maids in the White House MUST PASS a thorough security clearance to perform their 'non-classified' work as well. And someone at a higher pay grade likely has very good reasons for the security requirements as they are, and rocket scientists need background checks too.

Re:Very Inappropriate

[darjen]

The scientists are more useful elsewhere AND less of our tax money is spent on NASA/JPL.

I couldn't agree more - the more scientists who leave NASA, the better. Hopefully they will eventually all leave and NASA will disband completely. Nothing but a sinkhole for taxpayer money in my book.

Re:Standard Crazy

[heinousjay]

Show me the attack, please. I asked a simple question. Any negative intentions you read in my post are put there by you.

Re:Sounds like standard security clearance stuff..

[rk]

Fuck you, too, asshole.