FBI responds to ACLU with blank pages

[marmar]

http://www.salon.com/2013/01/20/fbi_responds_to_aclu_with_blank_pages/

FBI responds to ACLU with blank pages
Fully blacked-out page after fully blacked-out page constituted the federal response to FOIA on tracking

By Natasha Lennard


[font size="1"]The only unredacted text in one of two memos provided to the ACLU [/font]


Last year, following the Supreme Court ruling that law enforcement does not have the authority to put a warrantless GPS tracker on a suspect’s car, the ACLU compelled the FBI to detail other ways in which they were tracking individuals.

The ACLU sought the release of two memos via FOIA, one addressing how the FBI planned to track down GPS systems already placed on cars without violating the Supreme Court’s ruling, and another memo which detailed other tracking methods used exempt from the GPS decision.

The Justice Deparment provided both memos, both redacted [see pdf] to the point that the documents contain little more than black boxes. As one commenter on technologist site ArsTechnica noted, “the FBI could have just photocopied 50 or so pages of someone’s middle finger. It would convey more useful information than what they actually provided.”

The ACLU registered their dissatisfaction last week: “The Justice Department’s unfortunate decision leaves Americans with no clear understanding of when we will be subjected to tracking—possibly for months at a time—or whether the government will first get a warrant,” wrote Catherine Crump, an ACLU staff attorney.

[Arcanetrance]

1. So when will our newly sworn in president help to end this.

After all every time I object to any of my friends I'm told wait til his second term he will definitely be more liberal.

[NashvilleLefty]

2. I have the feeling you misinterpreted what they were saying.

As far as progressing the Liberal agenda, I'm sure he will do more during his second term. He has already begun sparring more with the Republicans realizing that they are not going to compromise the way that one would expect from a rational party. He has already ended DADT and has given every indication that he hopes to lead the fight to end DOMA including instructing the DOJ that he considers it unconstitutional. However, that is up to SCOTUS and/or Congress to actually end it.

As for the renewed PATRIOT Act, what a lot of people don't realize is that he renewed a few provisions of PATRIOT Act 2, which is vastly different from the original and which he actually voted for as Senator.

As for the drone program, I really don't understand why people are so dead-set against it when it has greatly reduced the number of "collateral damage". It's certainly not perfect, but it's the best we've ever had in the future. As for the war, Obama didn't start it, but he is working hard to stop it. Remember, there were 2 wars when he took over.

As for GITMO, he ordered it closed. It was the NIMBY's in Congress that stopped the XO and kept GITMO open.

I'm sorry that he is NOT a dictator that gives you every thing you want - no, scratch that - I am very glad that he is NOT a dictator.

[Arcanetrance]

4. I'm glad he's not a dictator as well

While the president doesn't have the ability to unilaterally push things through he does have the ability to rally Senate and house dems not to vote for these expansions and force open all the records on the civilian spying. He can veto things like the ndaa

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Please search "NDAA indefinite detention" on the web.

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. K&R! Who watches the watchers?

Those who do not forgive or forget. "Abuse of power forces evolution of citizen's oversight committee"

[kestrel91316]

6. The only safe assumptions are that:

A) We are all tracked, all the time. It would take lots of resources, but they have the resources. See "black projects" in Google. Or not.

B) We are all watched, all the time. Ditto.

Any time it is POLITICALLY expedient, they get to work analyzing the data they already have on whichever of us they wish to.

ETA: These tools are, of course, never used to solve crimes against individuals, for that is not their purpose. Their only purpose is to surveil those who displease the 1% and their lapdogs.

[siligut]

7. They definitely need more oversight and less power

Some within the bureau obviously consider the ACLU a weak, liberal organization.