The U.S. government is developing a massive computer system that can collect large amount of data. By integrating the data with information collected from blogs and emails and references from governmental archives, the system can find out pattern of terrorist activities.

The system is the US government's latest attempt to use broad data-collection and powerful analysis in the fight against terrorism. The system called Analysis, Dissemination, Visualization, Insight, and Semantic Enhancement (ADVISE), can collect data about corporations and individuals, including financial records and news coverage online. It is capable of analyzing and comparing the data with references of intelligence agencies and law-enforcing departments and storing relevant information.

According to a report of the Christian Science Monitor dated Feb 9, ADVISE is a project of Department of Homeland Security, and also a part of its "Threat and Vulnerability, Testing and Assessment" portfolio established three years ago. Part of the system is now operational and other parts are under development.

"Threat and Vulnerability, Testing and Assessment" portfolio has acquired funds nearly $50 million. The mission of ADVISE is not limited in identifying terrorists or searching key words; it is supposed to find out the important features that show motivation and intention of terrorists.

The report of the Christian Science Monitor said the system makes some people worry about citizen's privacy, because the system goes too deeply in people's daily life.

By People's Daily Online