Concerns about Privacy and the Creation of a National Data Center

In the 1960s, there were hearings held in Congress to discuss the proposal of establishing a national data center. The idea was to centralize government data in one place for easier management and analysis. However, many members of Congress, including Democratic Congressman Cornelius Gallagher and Republican Frank Horton, raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse of personal information. They worried that such a facility could lead to a loss of individuality and privacy, and even mentioned fears of a totalitarian system. The public also expressed their opposition, with newspapers, religious leaders, and citizen letters denouncing the idea. The hearings ultimately led to the proposal being tabled, and the concept of a national data center was abandoned.