Unit 6, Article 26: A Growing Watch List: Data from both U.S. citizens and foreigners flow from a massive clearinghouse.

Reference:

De Young, K. (2007). A growing watch list: Data on both U.S. citizens and foreigners flow from a massive clearinghouse. In P. De Palma (Ed.), Annual editions: Computers in society 10/11 (pp. 121-122). New York: McGraw Hill.

Summary:

This brief article talks about how technology is being used to compile and manage a database of people, both foreign and U.S. citizens, who may pose a terrorist threat to the United States. The database is called TIDE, Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment. The list is stored securely by the federal government and parts of the data are shared, on a need-to-know basis with law enforcement officers, border patrol, airlines, and others whose job it is to keep the U.S. secure. The list is populated by bits and pieces of information that are sent to TIDE by various intelligence agencies both inside the U.S. and abroad. Information is screened by TIDE management; often the pieces of information are incomplete and vague - sometimes even incorrect.

Incorrect and/or vague information is one of the problems with the TIDE database. Information in the database can cause people to be detained at airports, banned from flying, and in some cases taken to prison. If someone is unfortunate enough to have the same name as a person in the TIDE database, they will continuously be delayed and searched at airports. Generally, there is nothing a person can do about this but carry a letter alerting airport authorities that authorities will have to call TSA to verify the person’s identity.

Reaction:

I found this article to be very interesting. The TIDE database makes a lot of sense from a national security standpoint, but it is too bad it cannot be more accurate. I have to have faith that the managers TIDE are trying their hardest to keep the data organized and accurate in the best interest of the country. I would rather be searched every time I get on an airplane or cross a boarder than worry about possible security threats every time I fly, but I see how it could make some people extremely upset.

I can also see how this may be a big problem for international students, foreigners, and people who come from countries where everyone has similar names. For people who do not understand English well, it could be very scary to be searched and interviewed in the airport. It would be a horrible welcome to America. I just hope the security personnel, law enforcement, and border patrol officers who screen people are good representatives of America as they go about their interactions with people.