Government Report Shows TSA Violated Privacy Act w/Screening Program(ACLU)

[Up2Late]

(This is an ACLU Press Release, which I don't think fall under the 4 paragraph rule.)

Government Report Shows TSA Violated Privacy Act with Screening Program;

Used Passengers’ Private Records Without Telling Congress or the Public

July 22, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [e-mail]

WASHINGTON - The Government Accountability Office, Congress’ non-partisan investigative arm, today confirmed that the Transportation Security Administration used personal information to test a controversial passenger-screening program, without telling Congress or airline travelers. The ACLU cited the move, which violates the Privacy Act, as yet another reason why lawmakers should protect Americans’ privacy by scrapping the Secure Flight program.

"Today the government confirmed growing concerns over TSA's inability to safeguard the public's most sensitive information," Timothy Sparapani, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "TSA has just given the public 100 million more reasons to demand that Congress halt Secure Flight before it is implemented."

A TSA contractor obtained more than 100 million records from commercial data brokers and combined them with passenger name records obtained from airlines, the report said. The information was collected to move forward with a test of the controversial Secure Flight passenger-screening program, which is the follow-up to the CAPPS II program canceled last year amid growing bipartisan concerns that it would not protect Americans’ privacy or security.

TSA violated the Privacy Act, the report said, when it "collected and stored commercial data records even though TSA stated in its privacy notices that it would not do so." The GAO report noted that the agency’s privacy notices which were meant to inform travelers of how their information is used, did not reveal what data would be collected, whose data would be collected and how the public can "access and amend their data."

When it was revealed in June that TSA had collected these personal records, the agency took steps to retroactively amend its privacy notices to inform the public of what happened. The ACLU said that the steps taken were too little, too late.

"Lawmakers must undertake a full investigation into TSA's data mismanagement," Sparapani said. "TSA has shown it cannot securely, and honestly, manage sensitive personal information for proposed screening programs. If the agency is allowed to move forward with Secure Flight, Americans’ private information will be at risk."

For an explanation of Secure Flight and the ACLU's concerns, go to:
<http://www.aclu.org/secureflight>

<http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=18810&c=206&s_src=RSS>

(more info at links above)

[bluestateguy]

1. I really want the TSA to succeed as an agency

because I dread having to go back to private security rent-a-cop companies doing airport security.

This kind of stuff undermines political support for this agency, whose creation I supported.

[Up2Late]

2. Sorry, I don't share your love or hopes for the TSA, several reports

And reviews have shown, they aren't doing much better than the Rent-a-Cop companies, and worst, they have the Government Seal of approval on their uniforms.


Here's some links to some NPR News stories:

Problems Plague 'No-Fly' List, TSA Considers Changes
Listen to this story... by Pam Fessler

Morning Edition, April 26, 2005 · Air travelers with names similar to those on the "no-fly" list face continuing hassles at airports. The Transportation Security Administration plans to improve their screening system with a new program called Secure Flight.

TSA Report on Security

Listen to this story...

All Things Considered, September 23, 2004 · NPR's Michele Norris talks with Josh Romanow, a travel security attorney and partner with the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop, about a report on security operations at U.S. airports. The report was issued by the Department of Homeland Security. It explains that undercover investigators working in 2003 managed to sneak explosives and weapons past security checkpoints at 15 US airports.

Also, Harry Shearer has a regular feature on his Sunday Radio program "Le Show" called "Tales of Airport Security" where he reads letters (Airport Security horror stories) <http://www.harryshearer.com/leshow/index.html>

Just click the link that's near the middle of the page to "Past Programs" to hear them. He doesn't do them every week, but he's had some winners lately.

The highest concentration of letters are in the period from October 05, 2003 to the Summer of 2004. I doubt you will be as optimistic about the TSA after hearing these.

I truly wish our current Government didn't suck, but it just does.

[Zorra]

3. Arrest and imprison (for a very long time) those responsible would

be a step in the right direction, no?

[Up2Late]

4. That would be a good first step...

or even just a tiny bit of outrage from the Republicans in Congress.

[WhiteTara]

5. can this misadministration do NOTHING right?

These criminals should all be rounded up and sent to a special camp, maybe the one they set up in Cuba or Iraq. Either one has ways to deal with such enemy non combatants as these.

[Up2Late]

6. exactly, 95% of the RePukes in Congress and 100% of the WH...

...criminals should all be shipped off to the GTMO beach resort. LOCK'EM UP!

[WhiteTara]

7. Up2Late you are a genius

I love the lock! :rofl: