Alert: Comments on CAPPS Risk Assessments due to US DoT by March 17

Comments are due on Monday, March 17, on another request to exempt aspects of the US Department of Transportation's proposed CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening) II System from the Privacy Act of 1974.

This round of comments specifically relates to risk-assessment reports being used as inputs to the system. If these reports are exempted from the Privacy Act, then you will not be able to see what information is being stored about you or be able to correct any incorrect information.

Your comments matter! Several years ago, the FDIC’s "Know your customer" proposal was withdrawn after receiving overwhelmingly negative comments -- over 200,000 comments were received with less than a dozen in support of the proposal. The overwhelming public outcry against TIA has led the Senate to defund the project for the time being. Please, send in your comments!

Submitting comments

We've provided a sample letter that you can use as a starting point for your comments -- or if you prefer, use it verbatim.

HTML: http://www.privacyactivism.org/docs/CAPPS-sample_letter_3-17-03.htm

Microsoft Word: http://www.privacyactivism.org/docs/CAPPS-sample_letter_3-17-03.doc

Text: http://www.privacyactivism.org/docs/CAPPS-sample_letter_3-17-03.txt

Electronic submissions will be accepted!

• The Docket ID is OST-1996-1437
• The Document Title is Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation
• Be sure to click the appropriate choice for Submission method: Enter a Comment if you want to type directly into the form, Attach a file if you are going to attaching a file
• Leave the other fields in the Document Information section as is.
• Fill out the Submitter Information.
• When finished with the first page, click continue to continue to second page.
• After typing your comments or providing the filename, press submit

Documentary Services Division
Attention: Docket Section, Room PL-101
Docket No. OST-1996-1437
Department of Transportation, SVC-124
Washington, DC 20590

Tips for Writing Good Comments

• Remember to keep your comments brief and to the point.
• If you have examples of how you've been impacted by inaccurate data (denied a mortgage or credit card, been an identity theft victim, etc.) include that in your comments. Keep it brief.
• State what you want DOT to do -- withdraw the proposal, allow more time for public comment, etc.
• Don't forget to allow enough time for your comments to arrive by Monday. If you are sending them by mail, remember that delivery is slow in Washington D.C.; consider using Express Mail or FedEx.
• Consider sending a copy of your comments to your legislators as well, to let them know that this is an issue you care about.

Last updated March 10, 2003