Senate panel votes to require agency reports on data mining
Measure included in bill to implement 9/11 Commission recommendations.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week approved language that would require federal agencies to report to Congress on their use and development of data-mining technologies.
The language, approved unanimously, is based on legislation, S. 236, co-authored by Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H. He used the bill language for an amendment to a bill, S. 4, that would implement recommendations of the commission that investigated the 2001 terrorist attacks.
"There is a sharp distinction between the federal government looking at digital records of terrorists and other criminals, and those of law-abiding citizens," Sununu said in a statement. "Congress has a responsibility to ensure that this technology, which can analyze vast quantities of data, does not unintentionally infringe on Americans' personal privacy."
The bill now awaits a vote by the full Senate.