NEGATIVE — DISADVANTAGE — GOVERNMENT DATABASE ABUSE 191

IMPACTS: GOVERNMENT IS FREE TO COMMIT ABUSES

THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY CAN BE USED AS A BLANK CHECK TO INVITE GOVERNMENT IN OR KEEP IT OUT AS JUDGES AND REGULATORS DECIDE

The Tampa Tribune The Tampa Tribune, August 3, 1999, SECTION: NATION/WORLD, Pg. 6 TITLE: Privacy element in state constitution is open to variety of interpretations // acs-EE2001

On its face, this right seems to carry a simple message: Government, keep out. But this "right," whether created in the minds of judges, in laws or by the people as a constitutional provision, is far more complex.

The "right to privacy" is, as Judge Robert Bork has said, a blank check for judges and crusaders. It has been used to keep government out and to invite it in. Nobody really knows what it means, so it means whatever the judges choose.

PRIVACY IS USED AS AN EXCUSE BY BUREAURCRATS TO PROTECT THEIR POWER

Kevin Sinclair, China Morning Post, December 6, 1999 SECTION: Pg. 17 TITLE: Murky side of 'privacy' rules // acs-EE2001

A fear of provoking complaints about breaching privacy is the reason sometimes given for withholding information. It's a weapon grabbed with glee by bureaucrats who seek to hold power in their hands and deprive the public of legitimate information.

WE NEED TO KEEP OUR SOCIETY OPEN TO MANAGE POLITICIANS — WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW

ROSEMARY ARMAO, Omaha World-Herald, January 13, 1999, SECTION;EDITORIAL; Pg. 23 TITLE: Danger in 'Privacy Hysteria' // acs-EE2001

I learned in school that conducting government business in public, where everyone gets to watch and criticize, was basic to our unique, open society. That's the real point behind "The Public's Right to Know," that often-used phrase journalists quote when they want to get a story.

PRIVACY IS USED TO STOP ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THUS BECOMES SECRECY

Ura Greenbaum, Executive Director, Association for the Defence of People and Property Under Public Curatorship, The Gazette (Montreal), March 9, 2000, SECTION: Editorial / Op-ed; B2 TITLE: Privacy laws are often misused // acs-VT2001

When privacy is used to frustrate accountability, it becomes secrecy. However, no distinction between the two notions is made, which ends up creating a barrier depriving helpless people of meaningful assistance.

PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWS GOVERNMENT WILL ABUSE PRIVATE INFORMATION IN THE ABSENCE OF STRONG SAFEGUARDS

The Buffalo News, August 1, 1999, SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE, Pg. 2H, TITLE: SPECTER OF BIG BROTHER // acs-EE2001

That may be the intention, but good intentions are not sufficient. Far from it. Past experience with abuses of citizen privacy demonstrates that "trust us" guarantees are grossly deficient. Strong safeguards are essential.