Data leaks raising concerns

By The Associated Press

Published: March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON — Struggling with a deluge in passport applications, the State Department did what much of the government does to deal with a manpower crunch: It hired more private contractors.

But the practice of outsourcing allowed hired hands to snoop around in presidential candidates' files. And now it's pointing to questions about whether outside contractors should have access to such sensitive information about any citizen.

The government routinely relies on private firms to do sensitive work. The Bush administration in particular has embraced the practice of outsourcing as a way to save money and improve efficiency.

With the influx of contractors come increasing questions about lack of control.

Last week, contractors were found to have pried into the passport files of presidential candidate Barack Obama and rival John McCain. Two contractors were fired and another was disciplined.

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's files also were breached when a State Department worker used the New York senator's name during a training session.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday that the Justice Department has an "open invitation” to become involved.

In the meantime, McCormack said the agency isn't concerned it might be relying too much on private firms to help issue passports.

The State Department's Office of Passport Services employs about 2,600 contractors nationwide.

"They are an essential part of what we do here at the State Department in terms of providing services to the American people, and they're an essential part of the U.S. government ... ,” McCormack said.

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