Privacy vs Security - NYC - Morning Joe

[lostnfound]

Fascinating discussion about a bill being considered in NYC called "Public Oversight and Surveillance Technology Act". A couple of guests from NYC counterterrorism police were discussing the challenges of dealing with multiple terrorism surveillance operations. Last july they were simultaneously monitoring three separate active plots that were underway: 1) creating a bomb event at Fourth of July celebrations, 2) plotting the public beheading of a woman on the west side, and 3) plotting the use of bombs at a police funeral.

He mentioned a couple of online magazines that give "how-to" advice for would-be terrorists and a "post mortem " on the Chelsea terror event to describe what went "wrong" and what went "right". And how there had been over 70 communications that occurred all in a 24 hour period leading up to a terror event between terror groups and the actual terrorist that they have but still cannot decipher due to encryption.

They commented on the important work that the Brennan Group does, but they believed that this bill is badly drafted.

What a difficult question.

I'm generally a skeptic of government intrusions into privacy, but we don't want to be stupid, either, in coping with this insanity. The NYPD was defending the need to keep information quiet about the methods in use because they believed they needed broad powers for surveillance to deal with thousands of would-be terrorists using limited resources.

On the other hand, the NYPD has been heavy handed with antiglobalization activists and there's definitely opportunities for abuse.

Just thought some of you might be interested.

I found this from the Brennan Group. https://www.brennancenter.org/blog/ny-city-council-needs-increase-scrutiny-nypd’s-surveillance-arsenal

[OnDoutside]

1. It does seem that the NYPD aren't against oversight, just concerned about letting techniques out

into the public arena, from what I took from that discussion.

[lostnfound]

2. They were well spoken representatives for their cause.

"The Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act requires the NYPD to issue an impact and use policy for each piece of surveillance technology it employs. The policy would have to include important information about each surveillance tool, including its description, capabilities, guidelines for use, security measures designed to protect any data it collects, and whether other entities or government agencies have access to information it gathers. The NYPD would also need to evaluate and explain the possible impacts of the technology on New Yorkers’ privacy."

Some of this would be useful to those trying to conduct terrorism activities.

On the other hand, the controls over the FISA warrants etc. seem like they are more carefully thought out to prevent abuses.

[OnDoutside]

3. Yes, they were. They gave clear reasons why this isn't such a good idea.

[FreepFryer]

4. Odd that John Miller (protege/partner of Brennan) needed to publicly pressure Brennan Group. (n/t)

[jmg257]

5. Very good discussion. Also a bit...alarming to hear of all the plans they have been thwarting.

People blabber about the lack of terrorist attacks on the US,, but it doesn't seem to be from lack of trying.