WASHINGTON – The government ordered U.S. airlines Friday to turn over personal information about passengers so it can test a system for identifying potential terrorists. The move was expected but nonetheless brought protests from civil libertarians worried about invasions of privacy.
Under the system, called “Secure Flight,” the Transportation Security Administration will compare passenger data with names on two government watch lists: a “no-fly” list comprises known or suspected terrorists, and a “watch” list names people who should face tighter scrutiny before boarding planes.
“Secure Flight represents a significant step in securing domestic air travel and safeguarding national security information, namely, the watch lists,” the TSA said in a notice announcing the order.
The TSA order gives 72 airlines until Nov. 23 to turn over computerized data for passengers who traveled on domestic flights during June.
The data – known as passenger name records, or PNR – can include credit card numbers, travel itineraries, addresses, telephone numbers and meal requests. The latter can hint at a passenger’s religion or ethnicity.
Barry Steinhardt, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer, said a major problem is the lists include the names of many people who are not security risks.
Under the current system, the government shares parts of its watchlists with airlines, which are responsible for making sure suspected terrorists don’t get on planes. But the airlines don’t have access to everyone who’s considered a threat to aviation because some of the names of known or suspected terrorists are classified.
People within the commercial aviation industry say there are more than 100,000 names on the lists.
Under Secure Flight, the government would take responsibility for checking passengers. That was among recommendations of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks.
An airline industry representative said the carriers support the government’s goals but remain wary of privacy concerns.
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