Virtual Alabama: Spy Tool For Government

Would it surprise you to know that government employees across the state of Alabama have access to spy tools that allow them to track your movements and watch you as you go about your daily grind? I hope not, because the tool is called Virtual Alabama. Here is a short video explaining what Virtual Alabama can do and explaining how it is being used.





If the player doesn't work, try this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-1I0JTWiIY

This was originally created for Homeland Security and disaster reaction, but now it is being used for quite a lot more. It incorporates overhead imagery, including live feeds (how else could they show damage caused by storms?), and live camera feeds around the state. This includes, but is not limited to, traffic cameras and cameras that are installed in schools.

People talk about "Big Brother" watching our every move. With this Virtual Alabama tool, any state employee can actually make it a reality.


Think about the potential for abuse, here. One of the capabilities listed in the "Fact Sheet" is vehicle tracking. Someone with access to this software could potentially track your movements throughout the day. Whatever happened to needing a warrant?

As to the school safety section of this program, don't get me started. Though it has yet to be implemented (two test programs were run), Virtual Alabama will contain blueprints of schools, emergency and evacuation plans, and access to live feeds from cameras within the schools themselves. Imagine what a pedophile could do with access to this software.

There is such a thing as too much information, too much detail, and in my opinion this tool may well have crossed that line.

If any reader has access to the program, I wouldn't mind seeing a live demo of its capabilities so that I can form a more complete opinion. Surely the program can't be considered top secret after being advertised in a YouTube video!