Raw Story: U.S. Quietly Tightens Access To Classified Information

[Hissyspit]

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/U.S._quietly_tightens_access_to_classified_0313.html

U.S. quietly tightens access to classified information
03/13/2006 @ 12:58 pm
Filed by John Byrne and Larisa Alexandrovna

National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley quietly revised the guidelines for determining access to classified government information last year, increasing emphasis on allegiance to the United States and allowing the government broader latitude in rejecting candidates without a clearly articulated cause, RAW STORY has found.

In a December 2005 revision of the “Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information,” Hadley made semantic but substantial changes which seem to mirror a broader shift in Bush Administration policy. The document, found online, shows numerous variations from a previous copy of the guidelines published in 1997. Both are linked at the bottom of this article.

Many of the changes were minor or involved updates to catch up with technological advances. For example, the guidelines expand on certain areas with regard to storing or transferring classified information in electronic form.

But taken in sum, the changes seem to indicate an increased emphasis on eliminating leaks of classified information, and a stronger emphasis on loyalty to the United States and its agents. The changes also allow those determining whether an individual is granted a security clearance to rely on a conflation of various “suspect” factors rather than a clear violation of a single rule.

- snip -

CHANGES CONCERN:

Loyalty to the United States

Broadening cause for denying clearances

Leaks and the media

Individuals can also be denied access to classified information for prying.

Sexual 'behavior'

Criminal conduct revisions

MORE AT LINK

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

I was just in the process of posting this. You beat me to it. It's an interesting article.

[Hissyspit]

2. Think it needs to be in LBN?

I never know if Raw Story is acceptable in LBN.

[Hissyspit]

3. Here's a disturbing aspect:

"Another striking change in Hadley’s revision is the removal of the word “acquittal” from a list of mitigating factors in considering whether clearances should be granted. The 2005 document removes the word “acquittal” without explanation or replacement."

[FtWayneBlue]

4. Yes, and they are also re-classifying

previously declassified information. Probably mostly stuff that makes the government look bad.