EOTO - Total Information Awareness Program

The Total Information Awareness Program is a government program that has taken many forms since it's inception in the 1990's. Coined as the Total Information Awareness Program because of it's purpose to collect electronic data on U.S. Citizens, the program faced backlash in years following 9/11 when privacy became a primary concern. The program was headed at first by John Poindexter, Director of the Information Awareness Office. The program was designed to keep track of citizen's habits and lifestyles, allowing the government to keep tabs of illegal activities or movements. This is Big Brother. 

Of course, when this program gained exposure in the media, there was extreme public pushback. That led to the Senate cutting all funding for it in the early 2000's, although there is proof that the the program continued to operate under secret funding from the NSA. Activist groups such as the ACLU have led extensive campaigns meant to scare citizens of what could happen with such a program in existence. While these campaigns have been criticized as fear-mongering, there is truth in their argument: such a conglomeration of data would be absolutely terrifying. For more of a history on the TIA program, click here. 

The implications of such a program are vastly complicated-- while the "Total Information Awareness" was later changed to "Terrorism Information Awareness"-- many still see a problem with data mining, even if it is to protect citizens from acts of terror. Looking into the future, or even analyzing what we know know about privacy and our digital footprint, ti could be extremely dangerous fo re gov foment to be collection data that we publish on the internet, or even data about our traveling, our medical records, and our shopping habits. While it's quite a violation for the government to have access, there is a greater risk that it could be abused by those in power or by hackers. Having that much consolidated power is dangerous. 

Of course, it goes without saying that we all want this country protected from international and domestic acts of terror. And while this program is designed to defend against that, it comes at much too high a cost. As a whole, society would face the effects of massive data mining; living in fear that some unknown entity potentially had unlimited access to any and all private information. This also presents an issue when it comes to marginalized or minority groups. If the government has unlimited access to our information that they are able to utilize upon threat of "terrorism," then many groups, ethnicities, races, genders, or people of varying sexual orientations could fall under attack from their own government. Abuse takes it shape in many different forms, as does prejudice, racism, and homophobia. We must protect ourselves and each other, and not allow our personal information to be mishandled or abused in any way. 

My generation certainly has contributed to the problem-- born into a world that was shaped by the changing technologies, we have never known a life that is different from this onslaught of data mining and privacy wars. I think that on many levels we've grown numb to it. But it's incredibly important to remain aware, and remain active in voting according to our freedoms and fighting for what is right. And while I believe that my generation has left much to be desired, we fight for what is right. And right now, this is a worthy fight.  

For a look at the ACLU’s research and subsequent campaign, click here. 

For a consolidated list of documents released regarding TIA,click here.