Senators seek reports on data-mining efforts

Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Russell Feingold of Wisconsin sent a "Dear Colleague" letter soliciting support for their measure, S. 1544, which they argued would fulfill lawmakers' obligation to oversee and ensure federal agencies are not undermining privacy and civil liberties by using data-mining technology.

"The American people deserve to know what kind of information is gathered about them and how federal agencies intend to store and use it," the senators wrote.

The bill would not terminate current data-mining projects or seek to regulate data-mining, the letter read.

The senators said the Pentagon's Total Information Awareness program provides an example of how not to approach the use of citizens' data and data-mining technology. Congress recently stopped funding the program after questions surfaced about its effectiveness.