TSA Reveals More Data Disclosures
Thursday, June 24 2004
Published on AllBusiness.com
The Transportation Security Administration yesterday disclosed that at least two global distribution systems and four previously unnamed airlines transmitted passenger data to four government contractors to "prove the feasibility of performing a risk assessment for passengers," according to Admiral David Stone, acting TSA administrator. Submitted yesterday, Stone's written comments came in response to written questions posed by the Senate Committee on Government Affairs as part of the nomination hearing to appoint Stone as assistant secretary of Homeland Security in charge of TSA. The revelations renewed concerns in corporate travel circles about how the government and travel suppliers are handling data privacy concerns.
Stone named America West, Continental, Delta and Frontier airlines, as well as the Sabre and Galileo GDSs, and "possibly Apollo," as those who passed along passenger information in 2002 and 2003.
American Airlines (BTN, April 12) and JetBlue Airways (BTN, Oct. 6, 2003) previously acknowledged sending data to government contractors. Northwest Airlines early this year also was forced to admit it transmitted passenger information to NASA in September 2001 (BTN, Feb. 9).
In most cases, the federal government or its contractors requested from airlines passenger information as part of its efforts to develop the second-generation Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening Program. CAPPS II has drawn fire from privacy advocates and others questioning the viability, necessity and usefulness of such a system.
"This confirms concerns we have voiced all along about data privacy in security systems and how they are developed," said a National Business Travel Association spokesperson. "This is just one more example and one more reason to support TSA's Registered Traveler program--if it works--because it's voluntary."
"I understand the need for the information, and I do not have a major problem with it from a security standpoint," said Robin Buzzeo, corporate travel manager at Taro Pharmaceutical Industries. "But it would be nice if the airlines and GDSs had been more forthcoming. We are partners, and we have agreements. This is like a breach of trust."
Tom Barrett, American Standard Companies global strategic sourcing director, was less concerned. "Nobody in our organization has been harmed by any of this, and, at this point, I believe what has been done was in good conscience to protect
Stone named America West, Continental, Delta and Frontier airlines, as well as the Sabre and Galileo GDSs, and "possibly Apollo," as those who passed along passenger information in 2002 and 2003.
American Airlines (BTN, April 12) and JetBlue Airways (BTN, Oct. 6, 2003) previously acknowledged sending data to government contractors. Northwest Airlines early this year also was forced to admit it transmitted passenger information to NASA in September 2001 (BTN, Feb. 9).
In most cases, the federal government or its contractors requested from airlines passenger information as part of its efforts to develop the second-generation Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening Program. CAPPS II has drawn fire from privacy advocates and others questioning the viability, necessity and usefulness of such a system.
"This confirms concerns we have voiced all along about data privacy in security systems and how they are developed," said a National Business Travel Association spokesperson. "This is just one more example and one more reason to support TSA's Registered Traveler program--if it works--because it's voluntary."
"I understand the need for the information, and I do not have a major problem with it from a security standpoint," said Robin Buzzeo, corporate travel manager at Taro Pharmaceutical Industries. "But it would be nice if the airlines and GDSs had been more forthcoming. We are partners, and we have agreements. This is like a breach of trust."
Tom Barrett, American Standard Companies global strategic sourcing director, was less concerned. "Nobody in our organization has been harmed by any of this, and, at this point, I believe what has been done was in good conscience to protect
