Not acceptable and not much you can do about it.

Published on July 27, 2014 By DrJBHL In Everything Else

The FBI has been using drones for some time probably about 9 years). Years, in fact. When Sen. Paul (R-KY) started asking questions about that, the FBI decided to comply with the law and did the requisite “Privacy Impact Analysis”…which is on one hand pretty funny and on the other hand pretty serious. Since the FBI started the drone business in 2005, and deployed them in 2006, there had to be a PIA (which I’m sure the FBI and any other Agency receiving one considers them) and records show that at least one was completed. It should be available by FOIA – at least on line, by default.

Therefore, Muckrock filed a series of FOIA’s because, well, that’s what Muckrock does to obtain those PIA/PIAs. It even fought a tough lawsuit for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

So? They got the PIA, right? Nope.

All those PIA documents have been redacted in full. Even the cover page. Turns out there’s a Catch-22 or Rule-22, if you will which isn’t totally outrageous. Some things have to remain secret, although you have to really wonder just who gets to decide that.

“Justice Department guidelines allow agencies to withhold PIAs if publication would “reveal classified, sensitive, or otherwise protected information (e.g., potentially damaging to a national interest, law enforcement effort, or competitive business interest).” Department guidelines require separate justification for keeping PIA findings from the public, but the FBI did not release any such justification documents, either.” – Muckrock

So they refiled because the FBI didn’t even bother to justify the non production of documents. Just what that will accomplish is unclear.

So what’s funny about the whole thing?

“When asked to clarify the wholesale redaction of the privacy impact assessment, the FBI cited its litigation with CREW as a block on responding. "Unfortunately this matter is pending litigation," wrote Christopher Allen of the FBI Office of Public Affairs, "so I will not be able to comment."- Muckrock

In other words, “Do drones invade your privacy? Sorry, that’s private”.

So much for the promised transparency.

Btw, by writing about privacy, I’ve probably triggered NSA interest: Check this Make Use Of article out. Not that they need an excuse…they can always lose the HDD.

Sources:

http://www.neowin.net/news/fbi-redacts-entire-drone-privacy-assessment

https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2014/jul/24/fbi-refuses-release-drone-privacy-assessment/

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/interest-privacy-will-ensure-youre-targeted-nsa/

Comments (Page 6)

vStyler

on Jul 30, 2014

Serenity.

Cauldyth

on Jul 30, 2014

So, umm, what if the FBI is using monkeys to spy on us? There, I brought it back on topic!

Jafo

on Jul 30, 2014

Cauldyth

reply 77

So, umm, what if the FBI is using monkeys to spy on us? There, I brought it back on topic!

They use pets. Everyone knows that.

How many times have you glanced at your cat or dog only to see them staring steadfast at you?

ElanaAhova

on Jul 31, 2014

Jafo

reply 78

Quoting Cauldyth,

reply 77

So, umm, what if the FBI is using monkeys to spy on us? There, I brought it back on topic!

They use pets. Everyone knows that.

How many times have you glanced at your cat or dog only to see them staring steadfast at you?

Yes, and SNL did an expose of this a few years. Laser cats. Its an upgrade from mere spying cats and dogs. These puppies, err, cats will act to protect the government from citizens not compliant enough to government needs.

cardinaldirection

on Jul 31, 2014

Good posts Cauldyth.

While some people may not be very far removed from the lower, material instincts of the organs along the bottom of their spines (reproductive and digestive), the potential that other, extremely healthy nervous systems blossom into exceeds to much, much more beautiful heights. The natural world is a cooperative and procreative ecosystem, that we embody as merely a piece. A truly healthy human is innately a marvelous and loving being. One of the biggest problems with the world today is the devaluation of health and the loss of determination to propel our natural potential even higher. Too many people are too weak and lethargic to look inward and really evaluate the decisions they make. Monitoring those people will not solve the problem. Not impeding their natural, healthy development will.

DrJBHL

on Jul 31, 2014

Jafo

reply 78

They use pets. Everyone knows that.

Of course. Canine and feline Jason Bournes....we're swimming in them.

starkers

on Jul 31, 2014

Jafo

reply 75

Reminds me of that old saying.....if I walk a mile in your shoes....I'm a mile away from you...and I've got your shoes

Well bring the bastards back. Do you not realise a non-wheelchair-bound person with multiple mobility issues CANNOT manage without them!

Funnily enough, I planned to come in and ask that people excuse my previous post on the grounds that a Caribbean wich doctor promised he could cure my insomnia with a black magic potion and that my thoughts on the human race were induced by some halluconagenic component of said concoction. However, I read on a bit more and thought "fuck it, no, DO NOT excuse my previous post."

Not that I needed a witch doctor's potion to bring my disgust for the humam race to the fore, I am grateful that it reminded me the vile creatures which inhabit pond scum have greater morality and the comments regarding the greater pecentage of the human stain were more than justified.

Oh and never fear, my abhorrence of the human species is not an isolated occurrence.

Tomorrow I'm gonna let rip at the aliens living amongst us claiming benefits and priveges they did not earn, and thus are not entitled to.

Oi, Jafo, with regard to those shoes, they were getting a little thin on the bottom, so get the bastards re-soled before yer bring em back, all freshly polish and most certainly deoderised.

Other than that, new ones... size 12 'll do

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!