Here's more information about the Cars.gov Web set I just blogged about in the previous post.


When the dealer submits your information to get your "free" $4,500, the dealer is required to accept the site's Privacy Act & Security Statement, which reads, in part, as follows:

"This application provides access to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is property of the U.S. Government. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign." (emphasis added)

Now, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, nor do I normally worry about "big brother" watching. But this really has me worried.

Why is this a big deal? Because when your dealer logs on, and accepts this agreement, the government now has permanent access to all the information in the dealer's computer systems. That includes your loan/credit application with social security number, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, employer information, etc. But doesn't the government already have access to all that information? Perhaps, but now it's available to the "DoT [Department of Transportation], and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign." That's basically any agency in any government anywhere in the world. Not just INTERPOL, but how about the Ministry of Finance in Somalia. I hear they need a stimulus program for unemployed pirates. It could also help entrepreneurs in Nigeria who just need $4,000 in up-front funds to release the $10 million dollars they are willing to split with you. With your bank account number and other identifying information, it would be easy to access the $4,000 directly without bothering to have you answer their pesky little e-mail first.

(I'm thinking of starting the Web site WhatDoesItTakeToMakeYouMad.com. The domain name is available. Does anyone want to join me?)
Continue reading at the original source →