HART: Homeland Security’s massive new database will include face recognition, DNA, and peoples’ “non-obvious relationships”

This is really scary. Even the "have nothing to hide" crowd should appreciate the dangers a database like this can pose if it falls into the wrong hands with no oversight. Since hands change every four years, the existence of something like this without any protections on how it's used is terrifying.

This is concerning

At this point it's hard to even be surprised.

What's even worse to is that as per usual most of us, including myself, will apathetically dislike this news and continue not caring again 5 minutes after.

The agency’s new Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) database will include multiple forms of biometrics—from face recognition to DNA, data from questionable sources, and highly personal data on innocent people. It will be shared with federal agencies outside of DHS as well as state and local law enforcement and foreign governments

Other data DHS is planning to collect—including information about people’s “relationship patterns” and from officer “encounters” with the public—can be used to identify political affiliations, religious activities, and familial and friendly relationships.

Yep I'm really sure this data wont be abused by the powers that be...