Privacy analyst: ‘Santa is the ultimate role model for the NSA’

Don't be fooled by the jolly beard and the twinkle in his eye. Privacy experts are taking aim at Old Saint Nick, arguing that Santa's big data operation poses a potential risk to the personal data of millions -- if not billions -- of parents and children around the world.

"Clearly, somebody who knows if everyone has been bad or good, and what their interests are, and can be in so many places at once, and keeps all-observing eye on everything, is somebody to be watched," said Jeffrey Chester, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. "Santa is able to collect a lot of information without even having to pry," said Chester, "because people are constantly writing him letters." Chester speculated that Santa may even be working for the National Security Agency. Father Christmas, Chester said, would serve as an ideal frontman for an organization battered by the press over its surveillance programs. "It'd be a wise investment for the NSA to bring him on," said Chester. "After all, Santa does need a job 11 months out of the year."

[Dec 24]