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1995-01-03
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Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1993 11:52:25 -0500
From: Dave Banisar <banisar@WASHOFC.CPSR.ORG>
Subject: File 1--CPSR Sues Secret Service for 2600 Docs
CPSR SEEKS RECORDS ON ILLEGAL SEARCH: QUESTIONS SECRET SERVICE RAID
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) filed suit in
federal court today seeking information on the role of the Secret
Service in the disruption of a meeting of computer users last
November. The incident, which occurred at the Pentagon City Mall in
Arlington, Virginia, has been described as an example of overzealous
law enforcement activities directed against so-called computer
"hackers."
On November 6, 1992, a group of people affiliated with the computer
magazine "2600" were confronted by mall security personnel, local
police officers and several unidentified individuals. The group
members were ordered to identify themselves and to submit to searches
of their personal property. Their names were recorded by mall
security personnel and some of their property was confiscated.
However, no charges were ever brought against any of the individuals
at the meeting.
The Secret Service has not formally acknowledged its role in the
November incident. However, a mall security official and the
Arlington County Police have said that Secret Service agents were
present and directed the activities of the mall security personnel.
"If this was a Secret Service operation, it raises serious
constitutional questions. It is unlawful for the government to
disrupt a meeting of people who are peaceably assembled and to seize
their personal property. We have filed this FOIA suit to determine
the precise role of the Secret Service in this affair," said CPSR
Washington Director Marc Rotenberg.
CPSR submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the
Secret Service several days after the incident. To date, the agency
has failed to respond. Under the law FOIA requesters may file suit in
federal court when an agency has not complied with the legally imposed
time limits.
CPSR, a national membership organization that protects civil liberties
for computer users, previously filed a FOIA suit against the Secret
Service after the agency was criticized for several poorly conducted
investigations of computer users. Documents disclosed to CPSR from
the Operation Sun Devil case revealed that the agency monitored
publicly accessible electronic "bulletin boards."
CPSR has recommended the development of guidelines for computer
crime investigations an called for a reassessment of the Secret
Service's role in the computer crime field.
For more information about the suit, contact David Sobel (202) 544
9240 Email: dsobel@washofc.cpsr.org
For CPSR membership information, contact CPSR % PO Box 717 % Palo
Alto, CA 94302-0717 (415) 322-3778 Email: cpsr@csli.standford.edu.
Copies of CPSR documents are available via FTP and Gopher from
cpsr.org, folder /cpsr.
Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253