Justice Department Revises Operation TIPS Program

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>The Justice Department has decided to scale back its controversial Operation TIPS program, but has retained truck drivers among the group of workers who could be recruited by the government to report suspected terrorist activities, its new written policy stated.

TIPS, which stands for the Terrorism Information and Prevention System, was billed as a way for various workers — including mail carriers, utility employees and truckers — to alert authorities about suspicious behavior they encountered on the job.

The idea drew fire from civil liberties groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and lawmakers like House Majority Leader Richard K. Armey (R-Texas).