Focus on CAPPS

CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening) is a system that profiles all airline travelers, using a massive secret database of information to assign "threat levels". Deborah Pierce's recent Seattle Press article gives an overview of CAPPS II, as well as the privacy and civil liberties issues it raises.

CAPPS Round-Up

CAPPS II (the Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening program) is beginning to look less attractive as more people become aware of the invasiveness of the program, the high probability of false-positives, and the low likelihood of catching terrorists. The US is also having difficulty of convincing the European Union of the benefits of CAPPS II.

For more information see:

Are we any safer now?
From the Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0404180446apr18,1,6055531.story?coll=chi-technology-hed

MEPs give Commission ultimatum on data transfer to US
From the EUobserver.com (Belgium)
http://www.euobserver.com/index.phtml?aid=15219

Traveler screening system delayed
From the Washington Times (DC)
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20040413-101138-6721r.htm

Last updated April 19, 2004 - Link to this article

Northwest gave passenger information to NASA

The personal information of millions of Northwest Airlines passengers was given to NASA shortly after the attacks on 9/11. The airline had previously said that it would not turn over passenger information to anyone.

NASA wanted the information to determine whether data-mining is a viable tool to thwart terrorism.

More information is available at <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A26037-2004Jan17>.

Last updated January 19, 2004 - Link to this article

Senators Want Probe in JetBlue Debacle

Senators are pushing the Pentagon to turn over more information about whether or not the Pentagon followed the Privacy Act of 1974 when "system of records" was created using the records of JetBlue passengers.

It is likely that the Priavcy Act of 1974 was violated, as well as JetBlue's own privacy policy.

While this is a step in the right direction, many in the privacy community believe that stornger measures are needed. Edward Hasbrouck believes the full story about how passenger data was used (to test CAPPS II) will only be revealed if Congress launches a wide-ranging investigation into the matter.

More information is available at <http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,60885,00.html>.

Last updated October 20, 2003 - Link to this article

Passenger Profiling Violates Rights, Doesn't Improve Safety

San Francisco - PrivacyActivism, along with Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, C.A.S.P.I.A.N., and others today submitted formal comments to the Privacy Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, urging it to stop development of a proposed airline passenger screening program administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The program, called the Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening System (CAPPS II), will allow travel authorities to access personal information about each passenger from government and commercial databases.

Because even some of the most critical government and commercial databases contain faulty data, authorities who rely on systems like CAPPS II run the risk of misidentifying individuals and "tagging" them as security risks, even forbidding passengers to board planes. Once available, travel authorities or others may use this sensitive data for purposes other than identifying potential threats to passengers aboard airplanes.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/177>.

Last updated September 30, 2003 - Link to this article

JetBlue Violates Passenger Privacy

JetBlue Airways has admitted that it secretly gave passenger records including names, addresses, phone numbers and flight information to a Defense Department contractor. Torch Concepts then matched those records with data from data aggregator Acxiom. By matching the JetBlue passenger list with the Acxiom information, Torch was able to extract demographic information including income information, social security number, occupations, and years at residence for approximately 40% of those passengers.

Lawsuits and investigations have been initiated.

More information is available at < http://news.com.com/2010-1029-5080339.html>.

Last updated September 25, 2003 - Link to this article

Alert: Comments on CAPPS II Airline Profiling System due to TSA Today

After the first round of mostly negative comments that were received by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) earlier this year, the agency has issued a new Federal Register notice describing a somewhat revised system. Unfortunately, the new proposal is just as bad, and in some cases, worse than the first proposed system.

Your comments matter. CAPPS II was scheduled to go into effect in February, but the large outcry against it forced the TSA to postpone implementation and to speak with privacy groups. Additionally, the overwhelming public outcry against TIA (the Total Information Awareness program) led the Senate to defund the project for the time being. So please, send in your comments!

Our full story gives more details on problems with the proposal and how to submit comments; it also provides sample letters that you can use as a starting point.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/173>.

Last updated September 30, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS II Put on Hold

Testing of the controversial Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening (CAPPS) program has been put on hold while the impact on individuals' privacy is assessed.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has not been forthcoming in discussions with the public or the civil liberties community. Currently, hundreds of people have been stopped at airports and put through sometimes humiliating security measures, while others have simply been turned away.

The TSA still plans on implementing CAPPS II.

More information is available at <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56565-2003Jun13.html>.

Last updated June 16, 2003 - Link to this article

Ridge: CAPPS II to be examined by privacy expert

Tom Ridge, Homeland Security Secretary, said in Congressional testimony that the CAPPS II program will not be tested until a Chief Privacy Officer has been appointed and examined the program. Ridge further said that a CPO has been identified, although not yet announced, and that the TSA is working on a "trusted flier" program to get frequent travelers through security more quickly.

Also at the panel, John McCain (R-AZ) urged Ridge to deploy military surveillance technology at border crossings.

Source: National Journal's Technology Daily

More information is available at <http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0403/040903td1.htm>.

Last updated April 11, 2003 - Link to this article

TSA watch list routinely snags innocent travelers

The aviation "watch list", designed to catch terrorists before they board planes, has instead consistently identified innocent travelers, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). In documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, travelers report being unable to remove their names from the watch lists despite repeated efforts. The TSA denied such a list existed until last fall, but now admits that the list is problematic and it isn't easy for people to clear their names. While TSA officials "hope" that the new CAPPS II system will be more accurate, David Sobel of EPIC suggests that this is unlikely.

Source: Wired News

More information is available at <http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,58386,00.html>.

Last updated April 11, 2003 - Link to this article

OMB: TSA must demonstrate a business case for CAPPS

A representative of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) told a congressional subcommittee that OMB can and will hold funding for the project until a business case is demonstrated.

OMB is looking for clear evidence that TSA has developed a risk-based approach (rather than just another watch list) that will in fact improve productivity.

Source: Federal Computer Week

More information is available at <http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/0324/web-capps-03-25-03.asp>.

Last updated April 7, 2003 - Link to this article

TSA meets with civil rights organizations on CAPPS II

The Transportation Services Agency (TSA) held a three-day "summit" meeting to discuss implications of the proposed CAPPS II profiling system with civil liberties and privacy advocates. Attendees included TSA Director Admiral James Loy, Barry Steinhardt of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and members of the Washington D.C.-based Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). A TSA spokesperson said that the government plans to amend the controversial Federal Register notice of a database believed to be part of the CAPPS system, and promised that social security numbers and IRS records would not be used in CAPPS. A meeting between the TSA and privacy advocates in the Bay Area is expected in the next few weeks.

Source: Oakland Tribune

More information is available at <http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1262357,00.html>.

Last updated March 24, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS II: What's new

CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening), a system that profiles all airline travelers, using a massive secret database of information to assign "threat levels". Deborah Pierce's recent Seattle Press article gives an overview of CAPPS II, as well as the privacy and civil liberties issues it raises.

Some of the recent news about CAPPS II:

• The Transportation Services Agency had three-day "summit" meeting with privacy and civil liberties advocates, including the ACLU and CDT.
• PrivacyActivism, along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and advisor Mike Stollenwork, and CASPIAN, filed comments on March 10 asking the Department of Transportation to withdraw plans exempting the proposed passenger screening database from the Privacy Act of 1974. The ASSR database is believed to be a component of CAPPS II.
• Edward Hasbrouck (author of The Practical Nomad travel resource guides) has an excellent page up on Travel Data and Privacy, covering CAPPS as well as other privacy issues associated with travel data.
• Privacy advocate Bill Scannell's page calling for a boycott of Delta over the airline's testing of the CAPPS II system has received over 250,000 hits.

PrivacyActivism regularly updates its CAPPS News with recent press about CAPPS.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/topic/CAPPS>.

Last updated March 24, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS II: Coalition of Privacy and Civil Liberties Groups Files Comments

PrivacyActivism, along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and advisor Mike Stollenwork, and CASPIAN, filed comments on Friday asking the Department of Transportation to withdraw plans exempting the proposed passenger screening database from the Privacy Act of 1974.

The ASSR database is believed to be a component of CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening), a system that profiles all airline travelers, using a massive secret database of information to assign "threat levels". Deborah Pierce's recent Seattle Press article gives an overview of CAPPS II, as well as the privacy and civil liberties issues it raises.

Privacy advocate Bill Scannell is calling for a boycott of Delta over the airline's testing of the CAPPS II system.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/topic/CAPPS>.

Last updated March 18, 2003 - Link to this article

Recent CAPPS II Coverage (March 7, 2003)

Our roundup of press coverage related to CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening) from around the U.S.

Topics discussed in articles this week include a plan to boycott Delta (the first airline to be testing CAPPS II), more details about the initial tests, and strong opposition to the plan among travel industry executives -- as well as continued criticism by civil liberties groups.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/89>.

Last updated March 10, 2003 - Link to this article

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!

Our full story on this discusses provides a sample letter that you can use as a starting point.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/91>.

Last updated March 10, 2003 - Link to this article

Privacy advocate launches boycott of Delta over CAPPS II

Privacy advocate Bill Scannell is calling for a boycott of Delta over the airline's testing of the CAPPS II system.

Scannell earlier organized the successful Boycott Adobe campaign after Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov was arrested in the summer of 2001.

More information is available at <http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,57909,00.html>.

Last updated March 9, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS II: This week's update

CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening) is a system that profiles all airline travelers, using a massive secret database of information to assign "threat levels". Deborah Pierce's recent Seattle Press article gives an overview of CAPPS II, as well as the privacy and civil liberties issues it raises.

Some of the hottest news on CAPPS:

• Additional comments on CAPPS Risk Assessments are due to US Department of Transportation by Monday, March 17. 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. We provide instructions for how to submit your comments, along with a sample letter.
• Privacy advocate Bill Scannell is calling for a boycott of Delta over the airline's testing of the CAPPS II system.
• Our roundup of press coverage provides more details about the initial tests, and the strong opposition to the plan among travel industry executives -- as well as the continued criticism by civil liberties groups.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Topic/CAPPS>.

Last updated March 12, 2003 - Link to this article

Barr criticizes TSA's defense of CAPPS II

Former Representative Bob Barr, Georgia Republican, had harsh words for claims by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that the actual CAPPS II program will be much narrower in scope than implied by the proposal.

Calling the defence "nonsense", Barr noted that "Federal agencies propose widespread regulations because they want widespread regulations".

Source: Washington Times

More information is available at <http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030226-73777264.htm>.

Last updated March 6, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS II: What's New

CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening) is a system that profiles all airline travelers, using a massive secret database of information to assign "threat levels". Recent news includes the announcement that testing will begin in March; agreement by the EU that European airlines would share passenger data with the US; and responses by PrivacyActivism and many other privacy and civil liberties organizations to the proposal to exempt the proposed database from the Privacy Act. See the full story for some recent press coverage of various aspects of CAPPS II.

Another set of comments, on another aspect of the Department of Transportation's proposal, are due on March 17. On March 10, PrivacyActivism will have full details on how you can submit comments, as well as a sample comment letter that you use as a starting point or submit directly.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/77>.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Topic/CAPPS>.

Last updated March 3, 2003 - Link to this article

PrivacyActivism and Coalition of Civil Liberties Groups Criticize US DoT Plans for Massive Surveillance Database as "Eviscerating Civil Liberties"

PrivacyActivism, in coalition with Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and advisor Mike Stollenwerk, the Cyber Privacy Project, and CASPIAN, has filed comments with the U.S. Department of Transportation, strongly opposing a proposal for a database containing extensive information about every air traveler. Highlighting the extremely broad scope of the proposal, and its neglect of fair information practices such as adequate notice, access, and safeguards, the comments argue that the system would eviscerate civil liberties and that it is unconstitutional.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/71>.

Last updated September 29, 2003 - Link to this article

Detailed Analysis and Comments on the US DoT's proposed surveillance plan

PrivacyActivism, CASPIAN, the Cyber Rights Privacy Project, EFF, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, and Mike Stollenwerk have submitted joint comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation's proposed system of records tracking massive amounts of information about every air traveler. These comments request that the regulations be withdrawn because

1) the system of records does not meet the requirements of the Privacy Act;

2) the overly broad scope of the system, combined with the lack of adequate notice, access, and safeguards, eviscerates civil liberties and would be unconstitutional;

3) the system of records will not be useful for its intended purpose.

The comments include a detailed legal analysis justifying these points.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/69>.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/63>.

Last updated February 23, 2003 - Link to this article

Alert: Comments on massive surveillance system due to US DOT by Feb. 24

Comments are due on Monday on the US Department of Transportation's proposal for a "system of records" tracking massive amounts of information about every air traveler.

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!

Our full story on this discusses some of the issues raised by the proposal and provides a sample letter that you can use as a starting point.

Update on 2/22: PrivacyActivism, CASPIAN, the Cyber Rights Privacy Project, EFF, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, and Mike Stollenwerk have submitted joint comments. Follow the "more information" link below to see this a detailed legal analysis of the proposal.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/63>.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/69>.

Last updated February 23, 2003 - Link to this article

This week's acronym: CAPPS

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)

More information is available at <http://www.seattlepress.com/article-9684.html>.

Last updated September 5, 2002 - Link to this article

CAPPS

Privacyactivism staff counsel Linda Ackerman spoke about CAPPS (Computer-Aided Passenger Pre-Screening) to the Transportation Review Board, July 1, 2002: "It’s an area where government surveillance is expanding radically that hasn’t gotten the attention it should."

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/48>.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/77>.

Last updated March 2, 2003 - Link to this article

CAPPS: Sources

Sources for Linda Ackerman's July 1, 2002, presentation on CAPPS.

See the full story at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/49>.

More information is available at <http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/48>.

Last updated September 5, 2002 - Link to this article

New Federal Register Notice on CAPPS II

Comments for the TSA's proposal for a "System of Records" to support the CAPPS II airline profiling system are due on September 30. The recently-published Federal Register notice is much clearer than the original version in January, and does have some improvements; however, many of the concerns discussed in our comments on the original proposal remain significant issues.

PrivacyActivism and other organizations will once again be submitting comments, and we encourage you to do the same. We will post our detailed legal analysis, along with suggestions for making comments, in early September.

More information is available at <http://cryptome.org/tsa080103.txt>.

Last updated August 1, 2003 - Link to this article