FBI Advises Colleges To Keep Their Eyes Open

They're kicking off a nationwide program to alert major Universities about espionage on campus.

BOSTON (AP) -- The head of the FBI's Boston office is warning the region's top universities to be on the lookout for foreign spies or potential terrorists who might be trying to steal unclassified, yet sensitive, research.

FBI agents met recently with officials at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Massachusetts and other schools to train professors, students and security staff on how to recognize anyone who might be trying to exploit research, Special Agent in Charge Warren Bamford said.

And, as expected:

John Reinstein, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, expressed reservations about the program, warning that there could be a chilling effect on students or researchers.

"Are you going to ask all the questions you want to ask if someone is out there taking notes and reporting to the FBI that you asked the question which they perceived as suspicious?" Reinstein said.

You know what else is chilling? Being in charge of a sensitive research project and accidentally allowing somebody to abscond with important data because you weren't paying attention.

All the FBI is doing is telling them to be aware this is going on, and to safeguard their stuff.
Ooooh, it's just like the gulag.
Dork:

posted by Laura. at 10:31 AM

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