home

CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 09:22:42 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

At least it's out in the open. The Washington Times Reports:

The new Open Source Center (OSC) at CIA headquarters recently stepped up data collection and analysis based on bloggers worldwide and is developing new methods to gauge the reliability of the content, said OSC Director Douglas J. Naquin.

"A lot of blogs now have become very big on the Internet, and we're getting a lot of rich information on blogs that are telling us a lot about social perspectives and everything from what the general feeling is to ... people putting information on there that doesn't exist anywhere else," Mr. Naquin told The Washington Times.

]Hat tip Patriot Daily.]

< Scott McClellan Resigns, Rove Duties Reduced | Markos at Tattered Cover and Drinking Liberally Tonight >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs | 31 comments (31 topical)
    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#1)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 09:28:36 AM EST
    Assuming that they are serious about looking for social perspectives, we should be happy about this. It means they are getting the average person's viewpoint for a change. Even showing interest in such is an improvement.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#2)
    by roy on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 09:42:58 AM EST
    What's the netiquette for donating to blogs on whom you spy?

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#3)
    by rdandrea on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 09:43:26 AM EST
    I'm sorry justpaul, but under FISA, the Constitution, and any think else that makes America America, I don't understand what business the CIA has with your point of view, my point of view, or anyone else's point of view.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#4)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 10:05:52 AM EST
    rdandrea, I'm not sure FISA or any restrictions placed upon the government within the Constitution apply to a situation where the CIA is mining freely available information people choose to put on the Internet. You have no plausible expectation of privacy when you post Blog comments or content. With regard to why they might be interested in points of view: Well, I believe the idea would be that they are looking for different perspectives in an attempt to gather information of what people are thinking, what they are saying, and what they are doing, in an effort to better understand what they want from their governments. I really don't see the problem here unless you immediately assume some nefarious purpose, and if that's the case, you should simply stop posting comments here (and anywhere else) right now. I must say I'm rather astounded by such a comment here. This Blog is usually filled with people who complain about how the government doesn't listen to them and how the government doesn't care about their interests. Time and again we are given chapter and verse on how the commenters here could do it better, faster, more efficiently, and with more compassion. But now that the government seems to be taking a serious interest in what people are saying, and doing it openly, you complain? I am more concerned about what we don't know they are doing.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 10:15:34 AM EST
    If the CIA is involved, they are up to no good.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 10:31:38 AM EST
    jp-
    Well, I believe the idea would be that they are looking for different perspectives in an attempt to gather information of what people are thinking, what they are saying, and what they are doing, in an effort to better understand what they want from their governments.
    What is in the water you are drinking? Or are you on some kind of government sponsored drug trial? This is the CIA not the girl scouts.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 11:50:28 AM EST
    It would't surprise me if they are blissfully unaware that most blogs "worldwide" are written in other languages than English. If they intend to read Osama's blog they need something called a "translator".

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 11:51:59 AM EST
    wouldn't

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#9)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 12:27:11 PM EST
    Squeaky, Perhaps you should try reading the post before you read the comments. I quote: "A lot of blogs now have become very big on the Internet, and we're getting a lot of rich information on blogs that are telling us a lot about social perspectives and everything from what the general feeling is to ... people putting information on there that doesn't exist anywhere else," Mr. Naquin told The Washington Times. This is why I originally said Assuming that they are serious about looking for social perspectives,. Assuming that they aren't, you would of course come to a different conclusion about this new approach. With that said, however, how about some evidence to back up your assumption? Can you show any reason why they would be gathering information from freely available blogs if not for the purpose of gaining social perspectives? What else could they be likely to find? I understand your suspicion, but that's all it is, suspicion, and I am simply trying to discuss the content of the posting, not hyperventilate into various conspriacy theories. As for the water: It contains chlorine, trace minerals, and probably too much lead given that I live inside the beltway. What's in yours?

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#10)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 12:47:52 PM EST
    JP-The CIA is a spy agency. Their job is to protect America from bad guys, not to find out what good guys are thinking so that the WH can adjust their policy to be more in touch with the people. Your rosy picture of the data collection on Americans is really strange. Was that what the NSA was doing as well? Trying to find out what the pulse of America is, so that they can keep the president up to date I think that this is the nuttiest comment you have ever made.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#11)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 01:08:31 PM EST
    Squeaky, Why does the total lack of honesty in your latest comment so fail to surprise? It's not my rosy picture, Squeaky. It's the picture presented in the blog post. If you want to take issue with the picture presented, talk to the hostess, she's responsible for it appearing here, although, in her defense, she is only repeating something from another source. Yes, Squeaky, the CIA is a "spy" agency. It is also an "intelligence" agency. Hence the "I" in the acronym. Its job is to compile information, and, personally, I find its choosing to do so via mining of publically accessible web sites less concerning than some of its other methods. With that said, what does this have to do with the NSA issue at all? Are you suggesting the CIA is breaking the law? Are you suggesting that they shouldn't be doing their job? Or are you simply suggesting a link to try to smear this issue and anyone you disagree with? Like I said, Squeaky, provide some evidence. Barring that, try providing an actual argument. What is the problem here? Be specific. If there's a law against this, cite it. What are they looking for on blogs if not social perspective? Why is it wrong for them to be doing so? You can cry all you want, and sling all the mud you want, but until you can be bothered to even try to answer those questions you're just another commenter whining about "them".

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#12)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 01:33:49 PM EST
    people putting information on there that doesn't exist anywhere else, No duh. Before blogs, people had to depend on the corporate media for information, and the SCLM didn't deliver much unless a pretty girl went missing. As far as the legality goes, it's probably just as legal as clipping news articles, because we publish our thoughts here for all to see. The question I would like to ask is exactly what sort of information they are developing, which could hardly be classified, since it comes from public sources. I'm sure they are surprised to find that most of America is aware that our president is the most stupendous loser and incompetent, corrupt moron who ever held that office. You wouldn't find that out by clipping newspaper articles.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#13)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 01:42:51 PM EST
    j.p - the C.I.A has a fairly long standing tradition of engaging activties impacting the citizenry that are questionable at best, such as recruiting ostensibly independent journalists as virtual propagadists - to the downright malevolent, such as the MK-Ultra program. To accept at face value that this program wont be applied as yet another rarified form of crowd control and self perpetuating resource drain is a rather odd stance for a seeming "less government" guy like yourself to take.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#14)
    by Che's Lounge on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 02:14:50 PM EST
    I must say I'm rather astounded by such a comment here. This Blog is usually filled with people who complain about how the government doesn't listen to them and how the government doesn't care about their interests Oh please. That's the stupid comment of the month winner, hands down.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#15)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 02:26:26 PM EST
    Jondee, Again, had you bothered to read and comprehend the following Assuming that they are serious about looking for social perspectives, we should be happy about this it would have been clear that I was not accepting "at face value that this program wont be applied as yet another rarified form of crowd control and self perpetuating resource drain". I was stating up front that if the position the CIA is presenting is truthful, I see no problem with what they are doing. As I said above, if they are lying to us about their new program, then all bets are off. But, as usual, you don't really want to comment on the post, or even debate the issue. You simply want to start yet another argument, which seems to be all you come here to do. That being the case, I have no interest in bogging down this thread with another round of your BS flames. I have stated my opinion. End of story. Che, Well, it was a front runner until you popped in with Oh please. That's the stupid comment of the month winner, hands down. But that's okay, I don't mind coming in second to you.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#16)
    by scarshapedstar on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 02:27:19 PM EST
    I must say I'm rather astounded by such a comment here. This Blog is usually filled with people who complain about how the government doesn't listen to them and how the government doesn't care about their interests Yeah, I'm sure the CIA is looking for policy advice on DailyKos and Eschaton, and forwarding it to the appropriate congressional committees. What ingrates we are.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#17)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 02:54:42 PM EST
    JP-
    Assuming that...
    Yes we all know that this rosy scenario is an assumption of yours, or an assumption that you mistakenly gleaned from the post. How you deducted that Jeralyn is implying that the CIA is now collecting data on Americans as a way to get the peoples voice to the WH, is so off base it is hilarious. OK..... given that your comment is based on an assumption, it still is the stupidest idea I have ever seen attached to your name.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 05:03:07 PM EST
    j.p - As usual, when someones commentary dosnt jibe with what you've decided for everyone else is pertinant to the post, you have your standard infantile tantrum. The fact that the C.I.A carries a certain legacy of the abuse and misuse of its stated purpose, is in my opinion, deeply relevant to the topic at hand. How making that observation is grounds for a hissy fit about "b.s flames" is something you should take up with the host and your au pair.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#19)
    by swingvote on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 06:18:44 PM EST
    Squeaky, What exactly is your reading comprehension level? The post clearly states that the man from the CIA said they are doing this to gather social perspectives. I said that if one assumes that they are serious about this, I don't see a problem with it. I did not say that Jeralyn assumed this was the case, only that she posted this information on her blog. I find it difficult to believe you can't parse that much of a sentence, and am stuck having to decide that you are, as always, being intentionally obtuse to give yourself something, anything, to complain about. Jondee, You, of all people, with your rants about this being a liberal site, and how you all have strong opinions, accusing someone else of "infantile rants". How appropos. Once again, the house trolls show that they can't accept a difference of opinion by being unwilling to even engage it. Instead, they lie about what you say and then denounce you for the words they put in your mouth. Flame away, gentleman, flame away. It's all you've ever been good at anyway.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#20)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 06:21:27 PM EST
    Yeah its perfectly plausible that the C.I.A is just doing market research.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#21)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 06:34:45 PM EST
    JRT-Oh I see, it boils down to the CIA saying:Trust Us. and you say: Sure why not. you may want to read a few books about spooks. If your naiveté is real, it is kinda sweet. Hope that you don't have too much responsibility in your life though, I worry about those who may depend on you.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#22)
    by jondee on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 06:52:31 PM EST
    j.p - Have an opinion - as opposed to just wasting bandwidth - and maybe someone will "engage it". Reiterating that if the C.I.A is doing all the good things it says its doing then thats a good thing isnt an opinion: its just a rephrasement of a press release.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#23)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 07:08:01 PM EST
    JP- The comment up thread is to you and not JRT. Sorry JRT whoever you are.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 07:31:00 PM EST
    OK, I think this discussion is over. The votes are in: All those who think JP's posts makes sense? Score=1 (JP) or 12.5% All those who think JP's posts are ridiculous? Score=7 (rdandrea, kdog, squeaky, Jondee, Che, scars, and me) or 87.5% That's plenty. Conclusion: Probability that JP's posts are ridiculous = .875 Why am I not surprised at this result!?

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 07:48:50 PM EST
    "...You have no plausible expectation of privacy when you post Blog comments or content."
    True. Given a wealth of recent information concerning the actions of our government, we also have no expectation of privacy in our homes, working on an Internet connection, sitting in our places of business, being examined in hospitals, in many city streets, while speaking on our telephones, walking through airports, attending sporting events, checking out books in our libraries, or pretty much anytime we're not sitting on the commode (maybe not even then).
    "Can you show any reason why they would be gathering information from freely available blogs if not for the purpose of gaining social perspectives?"
    Umm. I can't tell whether or not that's a stupid comment or whether you are identifying yourself as a proponent of Conservative propaganda. Either way, it's bull spit.
    "...given that I live inside the beltway."
    ...and that pretty tells you all you need to know about what's wrong with the reality JustPaul lives in. Based on his commentary, he'd fit right in at the AEI, for Heritage, Brookings, or writing for the Washington Times. But here it is for all to see...pay attention spooks...I have no faith that anyone in the present government has any respect for Human Rights. Privacy or otherwise.

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#26)
    by squeaky on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 08:24:09 PM EST
    ouch!

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 09:32:09 PM EST
    Revised estimate, adding Tampa Student's input: Probability that JP's posts are ridiculous = .889

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 12:22:24 AM EST
    Well, I thought Justpaul had a point. But like everyone else here he seems to assume "bloggers worldwide" means "American bloggers writing in English". Wonder if CIA even has the capacity to data-mine U.S. blogs written in Spanish?

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#29)
    by Edger on Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 05:28:21 AM EST
    jp:
    the CIA said they are doing this to gather social perspectives.
    They could have just asked, or just joined in the discussion. They would have wasted a lot less of taxpayers money, and received cooperation in their efforts too. Cymro:
    Revised estimate, adding Tampa Student's input: Probability that JP's posts are ridiculous = .889


    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 07:13:12 AM EST
    They could have just asked, or just joined in the discussion.
    Maybe they were afraid they would be treated like the Invisible Man?

    Re: CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs (none / 0) (#31)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 07:44:55 AM EST
    If the CIA were so interested in gathering social perspecrives.... Hey! Where's PPJ?

    CIA Increases Data Mining of Blogs | 31 comments (31 topical)