Anti-Terrorism Network Launched (washingtonpost.com)
Hundreds of federal, state and local intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be able to share threat reports, investigative leads and potential evidence instantaneously under a new counter-terrorism computer system announced yesterday by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

The Internet-based secure network marks a dramatic expansion of U.S. law enforcement agencies' ability to simultaneously share time-sensitive information. The development has been eagerly anticipated by thousands of users and closely monitored by civil liberties groups that track the impact of technology on personal privacy.

The network mostly expands to law enforcement an instant-messaging capability long available in the private sector. It does not mine private records or exploit new tracking technology that could ensnare innocent people, officials said.

Yet.