NCJ Number
18088
Date Published
1974
Length
382 pages
Annotation
DETAILED STUDY OF THE COLLECTION AND USE, BY GOVERNMENT AND OTHER BUREAUCRACIES, OF PERSONAL DATA ON PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS IN ORDER TO CONTROL THEIR BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SYSTEMATIC RELIANCE ON PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION AND THE GROWTH OF MODERN SOCIAL FORMS IS ANALYZED. ALSO EXAMINED IS THE POWER OF LARGE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH USE THIS INFORMATION AND THE IMPACT OF THIS POWER ON PRIVATE PERSONS. CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED. OF FIVE BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEMS WHICH RELY HEAVILY ON THE SYSTEMATIC USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION STUDIED ARE THREE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - THE POLICE CRIMINAL RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE AND DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEM, AND THE NATIONAL INSURANCE SYSTEM. THE OTHER TWO CASES ARE FROM THE UNITED STATES THE CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTING SYSTEM, AND THE BANKAMERICARD SYSTEM. EACH OF FIVE CASE STUDIES EXAMINES IN DETAIL WHAT INFORMATION THE SYSTEM COLLECTS, HOW IT IS STORED AND USED, AND THE EFFECTS OF ITS USE. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STEPS INVOLVED IN GATHERING THE DATA FOLLOWS EACH CASE STUDY. MORE DETAILED EXPLANATIONS OF THE TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN GATHERING AND VERIFYING INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK ARE FOUND IN THE APPENDIX.