Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1992 21:49:11 EDT
Subject: File 4--FBI attempting to use mailing lists for Investigations

Source: Computer Privacy Digest and Risks 13.54

        FBI attempting to use mailing lists for investigation

The 20 April 1992 issue of DM News, a direct marketing trade
publication, reports that within the past two weeks, Metromail and
Donnelly Marketing (two of the very largest mailing list companies)
were approached by the FBI which is seeking mailing lists for use in
investigations.  Other mailing list firms also received feelers
according to the story. "Neither of the identified firms would discuss
details, but one source familiar with the effort said the FBI
apparently is seeking access to a compiled consumer database for
investigatory uses."

"The FBI agents showed 'detailed awareness' of the products they were
seeking, and claimed to have already worked with several mailing list
companies, according to the source."

Metromail, according to the article, has been supplying the FBI with
its MetroNet address lookup service for two years.  The FBI said that
the database is used to confirm addresses of people the FBI needs to
locate for an interview.

This marks the first time since the IRS tried to buy mailing lists in
1984 that a government agency has attempted to use mailing lists for
enforcement purposes.

In a separate but related story in the April 24 issue of the Friday
Report, a direct marketing newsletter, the RBOC's are teaming up with
other firms to develop white page directories on CD-ROM.  For example,
US West has a joint venture with PhoneDisc USA of Marblehead, Ma.  The
article states that the company offers lists failing mailing list
enhancements to law enforcement agencies.  [NOTE: an enhanced list
means the names and addresses were matched with a marketing database
and additional demographic information was added to the list from the
marketing database].

Mary Culnan, School of Business Administration, Georgetown University
MCULNAN@GUVAX.GEORGETOWN.EDU

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