Clark worked for Acxiom, Ark Data mining Firm...Still on the Board...

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7380-2003Sep26.html

Clark Worked For Ark. Data Firm
Acxiom Role Part of Surveillance Debate

By Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 27, 2003; Page A08

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark helped an Arkansas information company win a contract to assist development of an airline passenger screening system, one of the largest surveillance programs ever devised by the government.

Starting just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Clark sought out dozens of government and industry officials on behalf of Acxiom Corp., a data powerhouse that maintains names, addresses and a wide array of personal details about nearly every adult in the United States and their households, according to interviews and documents.

Clark, a Democrat who declared himself a presidential candidate 10 days ago, joined Acxiom's board of directors in December 2001. He earned $300,000 from Acxiom last year and was set to receive $150,000, plus potential commissions, this year, according to financial disclosure records. He owns several thousand shares of Acxiom stock worth more than $67,000.

Clark's consulting role at Acxiom puts him near the center of a national debate over expanded government authority to use personal data and surveillance technology to fight the war on terrorism and protect homeland security.

more

 

[Blue_Chill]

1. airline passenger screening system

what's wrong with that?

[EagleEye]

2. Violation of Privacy

Jet Blue got blasted for secretly giving such info to the Pentagon or CIA or one of those. This smacks of the Partiot Act abuses. Not that Clark supported the Patriot Act. I'm not sure he did. I think he didn't, in fact. Just another piece of the puzzle.

[Renew Deal]

4. He as said repeatedly that he doesn't support the Patriot act.

Including last night. He doesn't understand why we need it.

[Blue_Chill]

6. It's common practice

I hate to sound like the bad guy but it's common practice. Even Wired news that pretty much broke the Jet Blue Story admits it's common practice. The only issue with the Jet Blue situation that sets it apart is that it violated their ownprivacy policy. Otherwise this wouldn't even be an issue.

[Renew Deal]

3. Clark repeatedly stressed the need to "properly balance legitimate privacy

"Government and industry officials who have attended meetings with Clark described him as thoughtful and persuasive. Jones, the Acxiom official, said Clark repeatedly stressed the need to "properly balance legitimate privacy interests and the need for security." Jones said that was a core theme of Acxiom's effort to win government contracts."

[EagleEye]

5. SO what measures did Axiom include to protect privacy?

Guess I need to research more.

[Blue_Chill]

7. Protect Privacy

In what way. From whom or from what?

[AnnabelLee]

8. Locking--Dupe

Please continue discussion here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=134968