Fergie's Tech Blog

U.S. House Votes To Strengthen Authority of DHS Privacy Officer

Via The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT).

Included in the 9/11 Commission recommendations approved by the House of Representatives Tuesday night was a provision that would clarify the investigative authorities and provide independence to the privacy officer of the Department of Homeland Security.

Originally introduced in 2005 by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the POWER Act aimed to give the DHS privacy officer the authority necessary to ensure that DHS agencies are protecting privacy and following current law and policy.

The legislation also contains a provision that requires privacy officers be employed by many major entities within the intelligence community, including the Attorney General, Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA.

posted by Fergie @ 1/10/2007 02:07:00 PM