Press Release
For Immediate Release
28 March 2005
ACTE President Calls TSA To Higher Standard
Alexandria, VA -- Association of Corporate Travel Executives President Greeley Koch says the Transportation Security Administration must adhere to higher standards of ethics, especially where passenger data in concerned. He expressed "shock" and "disappointment" in a recent government report which said the agency "misled" the public on its role in obtaining 12 million airline passenger records to test a new computerized, terrorist-screening system.
"No one can afford to be misled when it comes to safeguarding the sensitive data that makes up their identity," said Koch. "It's important that any division of the U.S. government be squeaky clean when it comes to adhering to the rules. Reports of this nature will not build confidence in the TSA nor its programs. This kind of news can compromise future credibility."
Working from the assumption that the TSA was unaware of the source of the passenger data and the methods used to obtain it suggest a major disconnect in the key processes at the agency. "There can be no disconnect when it comes to safeguarding traveler privacy," said Koch.
The report, issued by the Homeland Security Department's Acting Inspector General Richard Skinner, adds fuel to a growing industry perception that the TSA is getting a lot more information than it really needs in the passenger name record (PNR). Members of ACTE 's Traveler Security Task Force have already recommended that the TSA be strictly limited in the information it can access and how that information is used.
ACTE leadership is waiting for the latest report from the Government Accountability Office (March 28, 2005) regarding safeguards taken by the TSA to protect data. In theory, the TSA cannot proceed with testing the Secure Flight program until certain safeguards have been met.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com