DANGER LIST

Privacy.org: "The Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration Agency (TSA) disclosed that it amassed a secret database of air travelers who arrived at airports without a drivers license or passport. The database also includes information on the traveler's companions."

The collection of names into an official List is always cause for concern. While many people feel these things are created without much purpose, this is almost always not the case: the purpose is to remember who was where, and under what conditions. So they can decide what to do with you... later.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PROPERTY

Again, from Slashdot:

It seems that authorities in Massachusetts have raided a home chemistry lab, apparently without a warrant, and made off with all of its contents. Here's the local article from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Reactions to things like this tend to range from amusement to outrage. There is a reason for events like this -- always remember: the Government can take anything away from you at any time.

(And we also wonder if those guys from the Hacker Crackdown ever got their stuff back.)

NETWORK WATCHING YOU

A company called BBN Technologies has received a $4,400,000 contract to build advanced network monitoring technology for the military. At least, that's what they're saying now.

The contract is probably legit, and the claim that the technology will be used to counter cyber-attacks against the U.S. military may be true, but keep in mind: as badly as different government agencies are at working together, technology is like a genie in a bottle. Advanced network monitoring tech is no doubt in use at other agencies currently tasked with surveillancing U.S. citizens, but whenever improvements come along, they are usually greedily adopted.

From Slashdot.