The New York Times has a long report today on the massive data banks about US citizens operated by commercial services for sale to marketers (and used by databankers for special ops against those who sue them). Emphasis is given to the number of states that sell low-cost inmate services for data entry and preparation of hot-selling Geographical Information Surveys which map and stat in minute detail the life-style preferences of purchasers. And how sharp and horny inmates snatch select data for criminal attacks on unwary citizens (and their children) who cooperatively provided personal information to government agencies and market researchers. Texas is featured as a leader in the privatization of government data and using inmate labor to underbid offshore sweatshop competitors -- all engendered by citizen demands to reduce tax burdens. Another report covers the Microsoft/Netscape effort to ward off government regulation by agreeing on a privacy protection program. It's not clear how government and inmates will join the two public-spirited corps in peddling the illusion of privacy.