Massive FBI Database Up To 659 Million Records On Americans

The FBI has built a database with more than 659 million records -- including terrorist watch lists, intelligence cables and financial transactions -- culled from more than 50 FBI and other government agency sources. The system is one of the most powerful data analysis tools available to law enforcement and counterterrorism agents, FBI officials said. The FBI demonstrated the database to reporters in part to address criticism that its technology was failing and outdated. Privacy advocates said the Investigative Data Warehouse, raises concerns about how long the government stores such information and about the right of citizens to know what records are kept and correct information that is wrong.