When Anger Is An Illness

The FBI has confirmed to Popular Mechanics that it’s not only adding palm prints to its criminal records, but preparing to balloon its repository of photos, which an agency official says ‘could be the basis for our facial recognition.’ It’s all part of a new biometric software system that could store millions of iris scans within 10 years and has privacy advocates crying foul. Quoting: ‘The FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which could cost as much as $1 billion over its 10-year life cycle, will create an unprecedented database of biometric markers, such as facial images and iris scans. For criminal investigators, NGI could be as useful as DNA some day — a distinctive scar or a lopsided jaw line could mean the difference between a cold case and closed one. And for privacy watchdogs, it’s a dual threat — seen as a step toward a police state, and a gold mine of personal data waiting to be plundered by cyber criminals.

My favorite group of federal Darwin Candidates are at it again.

More bloggers than ever are being arrested around the world, highlighting the dangers of citizen journalism, according to a new report from the University of Washington.

[From Governments step up blogger arrests]

[From Secret Spy Court Repeatedly Questions FBI Wiretap Network ]

[From FBI Backs Down On Web Gagging Order]

In recent House testimony, the FBI Director gave a glimpse into the future of law enforcement with his suggestion that his agency be given the authority to filter network “choke points” for illegal activity.

[From FBI wants to move hunt for criminals into Internet backbone]

Once again this organization shows it’s blissful ignorance or stupidity; depends on your outlook

“It probably won’t surprise you, but in 2005, the FBI manufactured evidence to get the power to issue National Security Letters under the PATRIOT Act. Unlike normal subpoenas, NSLs do not require probable cause and you’re never allowed to talk about having received one, leading to a lack of accountability that caused them to be widely abused. The EFF has discovered via FOIA requests that an FBI field agent was forced by superiors to return papers he got via a lawful subpoena, then demand them again via an NSL (which was rejected for being unlawful at the time), and re-file the original subpoena to get them back. This delay in a supposedly critical anti-terror investigation then became a talking point used by FBI Director Robert Mueller when the FBI wanted to justify their need for the power to issue National Security Letters.”

[From FBI Lied To Support Need For PATRIOT Act Expansion]

Anyone really surprised here? They continue to not amaze.

They guys are still at it; they keep getting my vote for top listing in Darwin Candidates.

Bruce Schneier has a great blog post on Security vs. Privacy

New Storm worm wave sweeping the internet [From New Storm worm wave sweeping the internet]

Significant security flaws in the Transportation Security Administration’s traveler redress web site exposed thousands of travelers to the risk of identity theft. Alanis might call it ironic, but we call it sad and unacceptable.

Read More…

[From TSA security flaws exposed users to risk of identity theft]