More illegalities in the "Automated Targeting System"

Even while trying to defend the Automated Targeting System that is being used to deny travelers their rights on the basis of secret “risk assessments” that give each of us a terror score from secret databases of third-party and government information about us, the USA Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted to more and more violations of Federal laws, the U.S. Constitution, and international human rights treaties.

Today I filed supplemental comments with the DHS on behalf of the Identity Project (IDP), pointing out the additional legal problems — including criminal violations of the Privacy Act by DHS officials — revealed by DHS statements since I filed the initial IDP comments on the ATS scheme and how it violates an explicit Congressional prohibition on assigning risk to airline passengers whose names aren’t on government watch lists.

I don’t expect the DHS, especially its Privacy (invasion) Ofiice, to police itself. Keep asking questions and demand answers and action from Congress and European Union officials. If you are in the EU, request your travel records so that we can find out what has really been happening, and how they have really been used.