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PATRIOT Act II Draft Online - The Center for Public Integrity has obtained the Justice Department's draft of PATRIOT II. The document (120 pages long, consisting of section-by-section analysis and legislative language) is online at http://www.publicintegrity.org. Dated January 9, 2003, it appears to be genuine. February 7, 2003
Legislation Authorizing "Do Not Call" List Introduced in House - The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Billy Tuazin (R-LA), has introduced a bill to fund a national "Do Not- Call" list, removing a potential obstacle to an effort by the Federal Trade Commission to help consumers block unwanted calls from telemarketers. The FTC believes the Do Not Call registry it has proposed would cost about $16 million in its first year. It would be funded with fees collected from telemarketers, but congressional approval is required to collect the fees. CDT has supported establishement of the national Do Not Call list. more Jan. 30, 2003
Few Details On New US Surveillance Center Made Public - In his State of the Union address, President Bush announced the creation of a new U.S. government department that will compile information on people deemed possible terrorist threats from government and private sources. Only a few details about the plan to create the agency, dubbed the Terrorist Threat Integration Center (TTIC), have been made public on the White House Web site. Jan. 30, 2003
Burglary and Bribery Problems Persist at Local DMV Offices - Internal fraud and physical security have been a consistent problem at State Motor Vehicle Offices around the Country. CDT believes that this issue needs to be the top priority in driver's license security since it has posed the greatest threat and will continue to undermine all other security reforms at the DMV. CDT has created a new page tracking selected cases of burglary and bribery since September 11, 2001. more Jan. 30, 2003
Verizon Seeks Stay of Court Ruling on Subscriber Identity - Verizon has asked a district court to delay enforcement of a recent order directing Verizon to identify a subscriber accused of downloading copyrighted songs through a peer-to-peer network. The case, RIAA v. Verizon, has raised privacy concerns in the ongoing efforts to stop copyright infringement online. CDT has issued a statement calling for a better balance between copyright enforcement and privacy and free expression interests. more Jan. 30, 2003
Senate Votes to Block TIA Pending More Info - The US Senate approved on a voice vote an amendment blocking use of the Defense Department's Total Information Awareness program unless Congress specifically authorizes it after the Administration submits a report the amendment requires about the program and its effect on privacy. The amendment by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) was added to the omnibus continuing appropriations act, the massive spending bill for fiscal 2003, now under consideration in the Senate. Jan. 23, 2003
GAO Reports US E-Gov Plan Is Not Citizen Focused - The General Accounting Office released a report criticizing the Bush Administration's E-Government Office for not following its stated goal of citizen-focused projects. According to the report, only 9 of the Administration's 24 main E-Government projects are aimed at fulfilling user needs. more December 20, 2002
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