The Matrix Regurgitated
Matrix stands for Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange and was created to track terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. Florida has used the database for more than a year.
First of all, I wish people had the sense to stop using the word "matrix." Secondly, people should also have the sense to not
release all the information the state has on you.Georgia officials plan to contribute confidential driver's license and auto tag information from millions of Georgians into a crime-fighting database, even as five other states have backed away because of concerns about cost and personal privacy.
The detail in the data is astounding: Past addresses and telephone numbers. Neighbors' addresses and telephone numbers. The make, model and color of registered cars. Business associates. Speeding tickets. Arrests. Marriages and divorces. Names and addresses of family members. Driver's license photos. Social Security numbers and birth dates. Credit information. And all a click away.
Thirdly, at a time when states are missing their budgets in a nontrivial way, why pay into this project?
Georgia and Florida are among 13 states that agreed in June to share data as part of a pilot project to expand Matrix. The federal departments of Justice and Homeland Security are helping with a $12 million grant.
Three states -- Kentucky, Oregon and South Carolina -- have dropped out of the program, citing cost concerns. Two other states, Texas and California, showed early interest in the project but didn't sign the June agreement.
Texas opted out of Matrix, in part, because the state would have to pay $1.7 million a year to gain access to the database once the pilot project ends, said Marshall Caskey, chief of criminal law enforcement for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Georgia likely would face similar costs.
Fourthly, fifthly, sixthly, this could go on and on...
* Ray, 10/13/2003 11:17:46 AM
