Security matters

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 11, 2008

It was one small part of a very large bill, but a satellite- surveillance program contained in the $634 billion spending package approved by Congress and President Bush recently is a source of concern.

The Department of Homeland Security program is aimed at making spy-satellite imagery accessible to local, state and federal authorities to help them respond to emergencies and address domestic security needs.

So far so good, but there's dispute as to whether adequate safeguards have been built into the program to ensure Americans' privacy and civil liberties won't be violated.

That's where things get worrisome.

Although some complaints about the program are coming from political opponents of the Bush administration, the Wall Street Journal reported that an independent review also raised concerns about the privacy issue.

Citing a source familiar with the situation, the Journal said the Government Accountability Office issued a 60-page report saying it lacked assurance that the program would comply with privacy and civil liberties laws and standards.

The GAO said the program lacks controls to prevent improper use of domestic-intelligence data. There also wasn't adequate proof that authorities would fully review requests for classified information, the GAO review said.

Homeland Security officials took issue with the report, saying an unprecedented amount of legal review had gone into the program.

That's reassuring, but another statement coming from Homeland Security was disquieting. An official told the Journal that the GAO was seeking a level of assurance that couldn't be demonstrated until the program is up and running.

From here, that seems like a governmental agency saying, "Trust us." And that makes us nervous.

Make no mistake, the program could be beneficial to Americans. The satellite imagery's uses include identifying where border spots and ports are vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

So it's well worth considering. But given the nature of the information, it's vital for officials to ensure the program can be operated without invading privacy or curtailing civil liberties.

Fortunately, the bill that cleared Congress and the president's desk permits the launch of a limited version of the system that will allow use of satellite info for scientific needs and emergency responses. Homeland Security officials must meet additional requirements to allow the system to be used for law enforcement surveillance and security needs.

As the system goes online, officials must work out solutions to the concerns raised by the GAO.

Protecting Americans is important. But so is protecting their privacy and freedom.