To the Editor:
Response to Victoria Grant’s letter concerning the ACS survey
I believe I received an ACS questionnaire several years ago.
Until reading Ms. Grant’s letter I had never heard of ACS before or since.
When I reviewed the multipage form, I was appalled at the personal nature of the questions. In spite of dire threats for non-compliance, I promptly burned it with the rest of the trash. So far none of the paper police have visited me or threatened my by phone.
If this is legitimate government research, why the low profile? Nine of my neighbors received a form or even knew what I was concerned about. Clearly the ACS wants to avoid public opposition to its blatant invasion of personal privacy.
The ominous threats included no doubt intimidate quite a few reluctant responders to “give it up.”
Returning a census form is reasonable for any citizen. Providing under-the-radar data collectors with your detailed personal history is just plain stupid.
Hacking into this data bank of private information must be the mother load for international cyber thieves.
A completed survey holds more information than most people would share with their own families.
Since Ms. Grant’s letter appeared. USC admitted a security breach that exposed private information back in January.
Whether intentional or a mistake, these events seem to happen way to often. If ACS believes it has a “right” to my detailed personal information, let them go before a judge for a subpoena and I’ll get a lawyer to defend my constitutional rights.
The 1960s maybe over, but we can still raise our tiny wrinkled fists in protest when big brother goes too far.
––Nancy Novak