The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced plans to implement CAPPS II, a controversial passenger profiling and surveillance system that would require you to give your birth date, home phone number, and home address before you can board a U.S. flight. Under CAPPS II, travel authorities would check these and other personal details against the information collected in government and commercial databases, then "tag" you with a color-coded score indicating the level of security risk that you appear to pose. Based on your assigned color/score, you could be detained, interrogated or made subject to additional searches. If you are tagged with the wrong color/score, you could be prohibited from flying.
Your fundamental right to privacy and your fundamental right to travel without being forced to give up your constitutionally protected freedoms.
EFF strongly opposes CAPPS II and is working to fight its implementation. In addition to submitting formal comments on CAPPS II to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), EFF is leading the call for a Congressional investigation and hearings on your travel privacy. We're also helping you voice your concerns about the CAPPS II program through our Action Center.
EFF and other privacy advocacy groups are not alone in their concern about CAPPS II. In February of 2004, Congress's investigatory arm, the General Accounting Office (GAO), gave the system a failing grade for protecting passenger privacy.
We urge you to join EFF as a member today, so that we can continue to challenge programs like CAPPS II that threaten your freedom and privacy. We also encourage you to sign up at the EFF Action Center to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.
