Lisa Dean, Director of the Center for Technology Policy at the Free Congress Foundation testifed yesterday with regard to privacy in relation to government surveillance. The press release below is courtesy of FCF's Steve Lilienthal:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 7, 2003
The answers of TSA, the FBI and DARPA at yesterday's hearing on national security…
DEAN: Lipservice On Behalf Of Privacy Will Be Unsatisfactory
Lisa Dean, Director of the Center for Technology Policy at the Free Congress Foundation, welcomed the questioning at a congressional hearing yesterday that was directed at Federal defense and law enforcement agencies regarding their efforts to protect privacy. Dean said:
"It was heartening to have a congressional committee confront the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Agency and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on issues related to security and privacy and ask them the tough questions that the American people would like to ask."
"TSA and DARPA both indicted their strong support for privacy protections. We hope this results in the agencies' taking to heart what privacy advocates have been arguing for, namely a real balance between security and privacy and not just the lipservice we've been paid over the last two years."
"It's commendable that a second hearing, slated now for May 20, will give privacy advocates time to express their concerns. Let's hope the committee will make sure that these concerns are addressed forthrightly by TSA, DARPA, and the FBI."
The hearing on "Can the Use of Factual Data Analysis Strengthen National Security? Part I" was held on Tuesday, May 6 by the House Committee on Government Reform Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Reform Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census.
Ms. Dean will be available for interviews by calling 202-204-5303 or by sending an e-mail to lsdean@freecongress.org
I've been a member of the Free Congress Foundation's Coalition for Constitutional Liberties for a few years now, participating in group letters and campaigns. Lisa Dean has been a tireless advocate of privacy rights in the time I've been associated with the organization. I'm glad she's on the prowl.
This entry also posted at The Watchtower.