Response from Jet Blue

[tkulesa]

Thank you for writing to JetBlue so that I have an opportunity to apologize to you personally and set the record straight.

Most importantly, JetBlue has never supplied, nor will supply, customer information to the Transportation Security Administration, or any government agency, unless we are required to do so by law -- not for CAPPS II or for any other purposes, whatsoever.

However, I regret that, more than a year ago, we responded to an exceptional request from the Department of Defense to assist their contractor, Torch Concepts, with a project regarding military base security. This project had no connection with aviation security or the CAPPS II program and no data files were ever shared with the Department of Defense or any other government agency or contractor.

We provided limited historical customer data including names, addresses and phone numbers. It DID NOT include personal financial information, credit card information, or social security numbers.

Torch further developed this information into a presentation, without JetBlue?s knowledge, for a Department of Homeland Security symposium. We regret that this presentation included the personal information of one customer -- although the customer?s name was not used. Again, we had no knowledge of this presentation until two days ago and we were deeply dismayed to learn of it.

The sole set of data in Torch?s possession has been destroyed; no government agency ever had access to it. With Torch?s help, we are continuing to make every effort to have the Torch presentation with the one customer?s information removed from the internet.

This was a mistake on our part and I know you and many of our customers feel betrayed by it. We deeply regret that this happened and have taken steps to fix the situation and make sure that it never happens again.

I am saddened that we have shaken your faith in JetBlue but I assure you personally that we are committed to making this right.

Sincerely,

David Neeleman

Chief Executive Officer

[Flying_Pig]

1. wow! Tis' cool that they responded lke this...

n/t

[jumptheshadow]

2. They published the information on the Internet?

Let me get this right. A subcontractor for the Department of Homeland Security published a JetBlue customer's private financial information on the Internet?

And this subcontractor divided JetBlue consumers into wealthy property owners, middle-class property owners and undesirables?

Watch this thread sink rapidly. But it's a very important story.

[KoKo]

3. Could you give more information about what Jet Blue Did?

Thanks.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Original info...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=366322

[jumptheshadow]

5. Of course

See this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=366322

JetBlue provided a Department of Defense subcontractor with customer data. The subcontractor merged the data with the financial records of the customers and came up with an airline security list that created three categories: wealthy property owners, middle-class property owners and a third catch-all category for people who might be greater security risks.

This story concerns me. A lot.

[tkmorris]

8. Straighten me out here

JetBlue provided name, adresses, and phone numbers but NO financial data, according to their letter. How then did the government contractor compile any lists divided into "wealthy property owners, middle-class property owners and undesirables"?

Something stinks here. Of course it stunk already but the explanations aren't complete.

[CWebster]

6. Shoot , I just booked a reservation

I thought everybody who took jet blue was poor(er)?

[Noordam]

7. Jet Blued lied and lied again

for example

"Most importantly, JetBlue has never supplied, nor will supply, customer information to the Transportation Security Administration, or any government agency, unless we are required to do so by law -- not for CAPPS II or for any other purposes, whatsoever"

that sound like a solid statement BUT read the next paragraph.

"However, I regret that, more than a year ago, we responded to an exceptional request from the Department of Defense to assist their contractor, Torch Concepts, with a project regarding military base security."

OK you caught us once.

more at this web site

http://www.dontspyon.us/jetbluepants.html