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NASA Requires JPL Scientists To Give Up Right To Privacy

Posted by Zonk on from the who-needs-a-private-life-when-you-have-science dept.

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."

9 of 446 comments (clear)

  1. Easy fix by PsyQo · · Score: 2, Funny

    What do they want to do when no one signs this? Fire every scientist? Not going to happen.

    1. Re:Easy fix by turgid · · Score: 2, Funny

      What do they want to do when no one signs this? Fire every scientist? Not going to happen.

      That sounds a lot like Collective Bargaining... That just proves these scientists are unionized PINKO COMMIES, probably terrorists, and deserve to be fired to make way for patriotic ones.

      Maybe the ESA will take them on for the Aurora project? /me ducks.

      --
      Stick Men
  2. Re:Very Inappropriate by plover · · Score: 2, Funny

    Besides, a clean slate is no guarantee a rocket scientist isn't going to go psycho after getting dumped and stalk his ex.
    Wait, are you saying that a rocket scientist who has undergone all those background checks might still flip out anyway? I don't think that's possible.</sarcasm>
    --
    John
  3. Obviously they're ashamed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny


    Some likely things that would be found among these 28:

    7 are having electronic-only relationships or affairs in a MMORPG
    3 are furries
    2 use slide rules when planning their order at McDonald's
    4 only wear glasses in public and at work (to look smarter)
    5 Either dance or do karaoke very badly
    1 wears diapers (but only for play)

  4. In related news... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny

    28 senior NASA scientists and engineers, including Mars Rover team members, all updated the "foes" section of their Facebook profile this afternoon.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  5. American Scientist Show by iknownuttin · · Score: 5, Funny
    Well, if we had a show, let's say called, American Scientist, that worked like American Idol, then, they'd care!

    p/Just imagine that Simon guy saying, You call THAT data! Get out of here!"

    --
    I prefer Flambe as apposed flamebait.
  6. Re:Welcome to every sensitive government job ever. by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny

    Heck, you wouldn't believe the background checks I went through for the FBI.

    Ironically, the FBI might not even exist today if its illustrious founder had been subject to these same background checks.

  7. sexual orientation? by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    includes snooping into sexual orientation

    What, did some scientists get suspiciously over-enthusiastic about the Uranus Penetrator Probe project? ;-)

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  8. So how would that have looked for Von Braun? by ross.w · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can you still get in if you have a history of working for despotic regimes, membership of far right political organisations, links to slavery and forced labour and previous employment developing terror weapons?

    --
    If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?