Mr. DAVID SOBEL (Electronic Privacy Information Center): This has now become fairly routine within the Department of Homeland Security.

NPR: Privacy Groups Sound Warning on Homeland Security Database

David Sobel notes that the department wants to be exempt from a Privacy Act requirement that the information collected be relevant and necessary.

NPR: Privacy Groups Sound Warning on Homeland Security Database

"We remain concerned about proposals pending in several countries that would give public agencies greater power to demand access to encrypted keys or plain text, " David Sobel, EPIC general counsel, said Monday in a phone interview.

CNN: Survey finds encryption rules loosening worldwide