Information, Secrecy, and Control

The FBI has not been here

As I've probably mentioned many times in other blog posts, librarians should be focused on the privacy of their patrons. However, there have been instances in history where the government has overstepped its bounds to ensure "national security." Below are some examples from recent history:

COINTELPRO (COunter INTELligence PROgram)

• Started in late 1950s and ended in 1971
• Main mission was neutralizing "political dissidents"
• Included surveillance at meetings in libraries

FBI Library Awareness Program

• Started in 1980
• Main mission to find out what was "interesting to people from Eastern Europe when they visited premier research libraries in the United States" (Foerstel, 1991)

Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act)

• Started in 2002 
• Lowered legal standard for requiring information
• Intended to update wiretap and surveillance laws for the Internet age
• Allows FBI to obtain search warrant for "any tangible thing"
• Does not require probably cause

PRISM Surveillance Program

• Began in 2007
• Mass electronic surveillance data-mining program
• Supervised under FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act)
• Leaked by NSA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013

You may be thinking: what does this have to do with libraries? Libraries are specifically mentioned in the Attorney General's press conference, information gathered is NOT limited to National Security issues, and there is the potential for intimidation of users - thus creating a chilling effect on open use. The ALA has already issued a call for public dialogue. If we will not fight for our patrons' rights, who will?

Relevant readings:

• Foerstel, H. N. (2004). Chapters 1 &3. Refuge of a scoundrel: The Patriot Act in libraries. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2004. (pp 1-44, 75-102).
• Kalev Leetaru and Scott Althaus. "Airbrushing History, American Style," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (November 25, 2008)
• Saito, Natsu Taylor. "Whose Liberty - Whose Security - The USA PATRIOT Act in the Context of COINTELPRO and the Unlawful Repression of Political Dissent," Oregon Law Review, 30-Sept-03 (2003).