Feel like you're being watched?

Americans and foreigners crossing U.S. borders have been assessed by the Homeland Security Department's Automated Targeting System (ATS).

Check out the article written by Michael J. Sniffen of the Associated Press. This part really caught my eye:

"... travelers are not allowed to see or directly challenge these risk assessments, which the government intends to keep on file for 40 years. Some or all data in the system can be shared with state, local and foreign governments for use in hiring, contracting and licensing decisions. Courts and even some private contractors can obtain some of the data under certain circumstances."

How is it that our government can collect, keep and share data about us...but we can't see it?

Here's an article from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Today from November 2005.

Here's the Privacy Impact Assessment from the Department of Homeland Security.