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RECORDS COMPUTERS AND THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS

NCJ Number
9994
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1973
Length
346 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON THE POTENTIAL HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES OF USING AN AUTOMATED PERSONAL DATA SYSTEM AND PROPOSED SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SUCH ABUSES.
Abstract
THE REPORT OF THE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE SECRETARYS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AUTOMATED PERSONNEL DATA SYSTEMS RECOMMENDS ENACTMENT OF A FEDERAL CODE OF FAIR INFORMATION PRACTICE FOR ALL AUTOMATED PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS. THE PROPOSED CODE CALLS FOR TWO SETS OF SAFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS, ONE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTOMATED PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS, AND THE OTHER FOR AUTOMATED PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR STATISTICAL REPORTING AND RESEARCH. ALSO DISCUSSED IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF EXISTING LAW TO THE PROPOSED SAFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS. THE REPORT EXAMINES THE CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPLICATIONS OF A STANDARD UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND OPPOSES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH AN IDENTIFICATION SCHEME AT THIS TIME. AFTER REVIEWING THE DRIFT TOWARD USING THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AS A DE FACTO STANDARD UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS STEPS TO CURTAIL THAT DRIFT. THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE REPORT CONTAINS AN AGENDA OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATIONS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE 2 CHAPTERS ON COMPUTERIZED CRIMINAL INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS AND A 32 PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY.