This week's acronym: CAPPS

September 5, 2002 - Backgrounder

May 23, 2002 -- CAPPS, the "Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening" system, profiles airline passengers based on secret criteria in order to identify potential terrorists. A new version is being prototyped (CAPPS2), which dramatically extends the existing screening. Of course, we all want to feel comfortable knowing that when we board a plane that we will make it to our destination safe and sound. Before embracing this proposal, though, it's worth asking some important questions: will it work? What are the consequences to society? Is it constitutional? I tend to believe that there are a number of issues to be resolved before moving ahead.

(by Linda Ackerman)

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Last updated September 5, 2002