The American Civil Liberties Union released a report Friday raising concerns regarding the U.S. government's Terrorist Watchlist database and the risks of labeling some of its own citizens as a known or suspected terrorist, Al Jazeera America reported.

The ACLU wrote in its U.S. Government Watchlisting: Unfair Process and Devastating Consequences report that there are roughly 875,000 names believed to be on the watchlist and many of the names included are "based on information that is often stale, poorly reviewed, or of questionable reliability."

According to the report, there is no adequate procedure to challenge a mistake for citizens placed in the watchlist, which are added based on secret evidence and standards.

In response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the government created the watchlist in 2003 as it provided a means to identifying information about people the U.S. suspect of posing a terrorist threat.

The Terrorist Watchlist is "one of the most effective counterterrorism tools for the U.S. government," according to the Information Sharing Environment, a government agency created by the recommendation of 9/11 Commission.

ISE wrote in its 2012 annual report to Congress: "Counterterrorism efforts hinge on the timely access to and analysis of often very personal details and circumstances of individuals and organizations that pose threats to the U.S. national security."

The ACLU reported that people found on the list could have numerous negative consequences such as making traveling by air and sea difficult. Invasive screenings, visa denials, questioning and even detention are often found to be actions taken by government officials against individuals on the list.

According to an ACLU press release, the watchlist database is shared throughout the federal government, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign governments.

"A bloated and unfair watchlist system does not make us secure, and the ACLU has long called for fundamental reform," according to the press release. "If the government is to use watchlists, it must institute narrow, specific criteria for placing individuals on them; apply rigorous procedures for reviewing, updating, and removing erroneous entries."