Protecting Individual Privacy in the Struggle Against Terrorists: A Framework for Program Assessment

摘要

In a democratic society it is vitally important that citizens and their representatives be able to make an informed judgment on how to appropriately balance privacy with security. This report seeks to contribute to that informed judgment. September 11, 2001, provided vivid proof to Americans of the damage that a determined, fanatical terrorist group can inflict on our society. Based on the available information about groups like Al Qaeda, most importantly their own statements, it seems clear that they will continue to try to attack us. Further attacks by such groups, and indeed by domestic terrorists like Timothy McVeigh, could be as serious as, or even more serious than, September 11 and Oklahoma City. Because future terrorist attacks on the United States could cause major casualties as well as severe economic and social disruption, the danger they pose is real, and it is serious. Thus, high priority should be given to developing programs to detect intended attacks before they occur so that there is a chance of preventing them.