Is Big Brother watching?

Is it legal for the federal government to implement a computer intrusion detection system that reportedly can read email? The system is known as the Einstein intrusion detection system, and a version of it has been rolled out at the Department of Homeland Security.

The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) is seeking information about the program from the administration, and is questioning its potential privacy violations.

"This raises serious privacy concerns," the CDT report states. "While its predecessor merely detected and reported malicious code, Einstein 3 is to have the capability of intercepting threatening Internet traffic before it reaches a government system, raising additional concerns."

It sounds a lot like Star Wars to me, and I question whether this system can actually do all of this. But it is something that has created increasing alarm from CDT and other civil liberties groups.

Furthermore, CDT wants to know what law gives DHS the authority to conduct this kind of surveillance.

For more on this surveillance program:
- check out this CIO.com article