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Chicago Pre-Crime - Racism Cloaked in Science

posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:00PM   Printer-friendly
from the studies-show-poverty-causes-cancer dept.

Angry Jesus writes:

"The Chicago Police Department is mis-applying epidemiological science (the study of entire populations) to target individuals in a real-life version of Minority Report. They have decided that it is a good idea to put people on a secret list based on a Big Data analysis of their social networks. But don't worry, it isn't racist or abusive because, Science!"

 
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  • (Score: 1) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 27 2014, @02:08AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 27 2014, @02:08AM (#7720)

    Unless their algorithm can show with 100% certainty that someone will commit a crime (which we all know is impossible) there is nothing to justify this invasion of privacy.
    How can they even predict with any certainty how their harrassment of people who haven't even done something wrong will influuence their future behaviour?
    If I was slightly more cynical I'd even think that it was part of their plan, provoking people into criminal activity since the police will be hunting them anyway.
    Isn't it a well known fact that practically all americans commit on average 3 crimes per day, so if they start watching someone sooner or later they will be caught doing something wrong.

    Besides what if... somehow you'd happen to have the same name as someone on the "list" could it ever come to pass that you'd be subject to undue scrutiny? No, of course not! It's not as if your name being on some list could have any effect in some random unpredictable situation... for example ordering electronics.
    In the end practically everyone will have access to this data.
    How will this effect your opportunities when applying for a job or a school?
    Where will it end?

    If this becomes widespread we are heading into a very dark chapter of human history.

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  • (Score: 1) by SixGunMojo on Thursday February 27 2014, @05:19AM

    by SixGunMojo (509) on Thursday February 27 2014, @05:19AM (#7799)

    Isn't it a well known fact that practically all americans commit on average 3 crimes per day, so if they start watching someone sooner or later they will be caught doing something wrong.

    I remember reading an article where a law professor stated that if he followed any person over the age of 18 for 24 hours he could put them in prison for at least 10 years. I also have a vague recollection of watching something on tv a few years back with another prof saying the same thing.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 27 2014, @02:50PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 27 2014, @02:50PM (#7973)

      I'm pretty sure if he followed any person over the age of 18 for 24 hours, that person could get him in prison for stalking. ;-)