The US government is developing a massive computer system that can collect huge amounts of data and, by linking far-flung information from blogs and e-mail to government records and intelligence reports, search for patterns of terrorist activity.

The system - parts of which are operational, parts of which are still under development - is already credited with helping to foil some plots. It is the federal government's latest attempt to use broad data-collection and powerful analysis in the fight against terrorism. But by delving deeply into the digital minutiae of American life, the program is also raising concerns that the government is intruding too deeply into citizens' privacy.

This keeps coming up. We start collecting a bunch of data, often without court oversight, start mining it, someone finds out, a dialog about privacy starts, the program is changed or moved, things go quiet, rinse, repeat... There is no dialog. Only negotiation. Only power.

Ultimately we're rapidly moving toward an environment where law enforcement is perfect because they know everything by default and we needn't be concerned about civil liberties because a computer doesn't care about your dirty laundry... There is no civil liberties concern with searches performed by robot. The democrats will use this technology to crack down on gun hobbiests and video gamers and rockers. The republicans will use this technology to crack down on heretics and scientists and pot heads. You'll get to choose between two parties on the basis of what you'd most like to see this flawless machine used to control. The idea of individual liberty will disappear from the lexicon entriely, as the word freedom is redefined. Freedom from crime. Freedom from terrorism. Freedom to be American. But never freedom of thought. Never freedom to be different. We don't like that here.

Welcome to the new Singapore.

US plans massive data sweep | csmonitor.com