New Airport Security for All Air Travelers

January 12, 2004

New Airport Security for All Air Travelers
KLAS, NV


(Jan. 12) -- The changes going into effect at the
nation's airports are supposed to keep the country
safer. But some people say they will damage American's
right to privacy.

The U.S. government is going ahead with a computerized
system that will collect background information on all
air travelers. Passengers would be scored with a color
and number to rank their possible security threat.
Privacy advocates say the system could be
discriminatory. 

According to CNN, within a month or so, Uncle Sam may
begin compelling airlines and airline reservation
businesses to turn over background information on all
passengers boarding flights in the U.S. That
information will then be fed into a new computer
system, which, the transportation security
administration says, will help pinpoint the risk
certain passengers may pose to airliners. 

TSA estimates that 5% of the traveling public will
either be required to undergo further security
screening, or won't be allowed to board a flight.
Airline industry officials say if the program is
implemented properly, it may be good for business. 

Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union fear
passengers' background information may not be kept
private. "We think it's a very bad idea, it would lead
to an enormous privacy invasion over time and it won't
likely make us safer." 

In addition to the new computer system, the government
is also testing new equipment that digitally
fingerprints and photographs overseas passengers
traveling through U.S. airports to determine whether
any appear on terrorist watch lists. 

The transportation security administration says the
system will be rolled out in phases over the summer.


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