This article reviews the debate over electronic data bases and privacy, with an
emphasis on the United States since the Privacy Act of 1974. Proposals that have value for the 1990s, both nationally and internationally, are synthesized. Some
current controversies are discussed, including some of the reasons for the failure
of previous privacy legislation. The way social values affect both statistical and
intelligence systems is reviewed, and the debate over organizational necessity and
computerization is examined. Some controversial systems and programs are described, along with suggestions designed to move closer to state-of-the-art
privacy oversight.
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