So, if it wasn’t bad enough that there are 1 million plus folks on the “do not fly” list it appears that there is another list in the USA. The TSA (my buds) have managed to take the names of people who fly within the US without ID, which is legal, and compile a list. So, where have these names ended up? Funny you ask. They’ve been added to a database of folks who have violated security laws or have been questioned due to their behaviour.
WTF?
From USA Today:
The TSA began storing the information in late June, tracking many people who said they had forgotten their driver’s license or passport at home. The database has 16,500 records of such people and is open to law enforcement agencies, according to the TSA.
Asked about the program, TSA chief Kip Hawley told USA TODAY in an interview Tuesday that the information helps track potential terrorists who may be “probing the system” by trying to get though checkpoints at various airports.
OK, so let me get this straight this info is to “helps track potential terrorists”? Did anyone at the TSA miss the fact that it is perfectly legal for US citizens to travel without ID within the States? And the data will be stored in some cases for up to 15 years.
Don’t forget your wallet.
Hey Dave… 2 quick things…
1) Flying without ID is no longer legal (date was Aug 1st, 2008)…
2) The TSA blog today disputes the USA Today story (http://www.tsa.gov/blog/index.shtm)… but then again – those TSA folk wouldn’t admit openly to a list like this anyway… it’s a “matter of national security” don’t ‘cha know…
@Rafal
Ah! Thanks for the clarification. I was unaware of the Aug 1st date.
cheers,
Dave