I have just completed a reading of "Database Nation" by Simson Garfinkel. This book first grabbed my attention because of my interest in data confidentiality and the apparent database focus implied by the book title. The glaring eye peering through the keyhole on the cover also did a lot to grab my attention.
As I began to read the book, I found that the exploration into the history of the social security number very interesting. The further exploration into biometrics was a great follow up. I have often wondered how biometrics could be compromised short of gruesome mutilation. This section of the book reminded me that this information is converted into data and stored which makes it equally vulnerable as any other piece of data.
Throughout the book there were some very interesting and thought provoking concepts. The one that seemed to stand out is the question of who really owns your data. Also presented were the many methods in which our privacy is compromised on a daily basis - voluntarily or otherwise.
The chapter on "Kooks and Terrorists" was on the money. Knowing that this book was written in the pre-September 11, 2001 days the perspective on this aspect was eerily accurate; including how the government may approach privacy in light of such an event.
I have read a few reviews of this book that I have found online. There were two points that were raised by others in regard to the perspective of this book that I felt compelled to comment upon:
The first point was that it did not present a global perspective on the subject. I did not really find that this should be an issue. The challenge to this subject, as was pointed out in this book, is that the state of privacy varies significantly throughout the world. There are certainly areas in the world where this subject has been impressively addressed while other areas the concept of privacy is non-existent. There is certainly much to be said and improved upon about the state of privacy in the US. The land of liberty and independence of the individual should be the leading advocate of privacy.
The second point was that some items that were presented are too much science-fiction. I would argue that science-fiction cannot begin to touch the current infringements of privacy. With a little investigation the reality of some of these concepts stand out. One of the tactics noted was "Brain Wiretapping". While that concept may, on the surface, sound like something from the Matrix, I recently ran across an article that shows how this concept is being proposed for interrogation tactics. (Click here (http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2001/10/47221) to read it)
In summary, I enjoyed this book and it has spurred many conversations among my peers. I certainly recommend this read. Despite being a seven year old book, it remains amazingly relevant.
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