[_ptgt]

Is this really a good thing?

1. Indiscriminate collection by law enforcement is bad to start with.

2. Since we agree it was bad to collect such data, we’re going to set a precedent that law enforcement can’t have exclusive rights to that data. Instead, now some legal process allows bureaucrats or justices to give data improperly collected about me to third party private agencies that I’m not familiar with.

This is supposed to be a win for me? If data was improperly collected, it should be deleted. I don’t care how much value Org X thinks it can derive from that data and how many government employees Org X can persuade to share it with them.

I gather from comments here that EFF has a laudable mission and track record, but the reputation or purpose of the organization in question is orthogonal to the reasonableness of the data sharing precedent.

Perhaps I’m missing some crucial facts?

[axus]

FOIA is "some legal process". If we don't want that data getting out, we shouldn't allow its collection.

[_ptgt]

FOIA doesn’t usually involve my personal data as a typical private citizen. Personal data that can potentially be traced back to me and affect my life in negative ways. It usually involves data about the work that the government itself is doing... work that is funded with my tax dollars and involving data that ostensibly can’t be used to harm me personally. Data sharing increases the attack surface for that data... considering I never consented to that data being collected in the first place, the supposed government of the people should be working very hard to make sure my data isn’t abused or hacked.

Agreed on the latter statement though.

[slowhand09]

Loading a database of plate numbers that are stolen, or reported for criminal activity/suspicion of criminal activity seem like a good compromise. Read a plate, compare it to the list. If not found, delete the record. Retention is the problem IMHO.

[icebraining]

I think one can consider this like publishing an exploit. If the EFF can get that data, so can any shady organization, probably without you even knowing. They're casting light on the issue.