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Comment by colkassad | Hacker News Reader

It's only a matter of time until this data is used for political means (see the recent IRS story). All it will take is someone coming into power that threatens the agency or its valued partners in any way. Then out comes the embarrassing tweets or tax evasion evidence pulled from Amazon. This will only become more easy as the young people of today become the Senators and Presidential candidates of tomorrow.

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"Out comes the blackmail" is an optimistic scenario. More likely, it's quietly made known that they have such information, and magically, their position changes - with the public none the wiser.

Pretty much describes J Edgar Hoover's career. And why, once the Mob got dirt on him, they were free to do as they pleased with no FBI interference.

"Regretfully stepping down to engage with my wonderful family."

You nailed it: they could start out by taking out some child pornographers, money launderers, corrupt congressmen, senators, judges and mayors. Then move on to Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, members of the press, uppity hackers like Aaron Schwartz, et al.

But wait there is more,

How about some ambitious sys admin from Booz Allen or otherwise sell the information to HR departments, the Enquirer, The Daily Mail, Goldman Sacks, the Chinese, the Russians, or start his own "protection business"?

</sarcasm>

I'd be beyond shocked if this wasn't already happening. I suspect one or two "discoveries" (e.g. a mayor smoking crack with a prostitute) were probably really from one of these sources and everyone else is simply shown what is out there on them and they avoid rocking the boat.

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