September 15, 2004

Judge Releases Northwest from Privacy Suit

Northwest Airlines violated passenger privacy when it shared passenger information with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which sought to information to research data mining applications. A federal judge, however, dismissed the privacy lawsuit filled in North Dakota on the grounds that the airlines actions did not violate the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, because the act only applied to Internet service providers or telecommunications companies. The judge also rejected plaintiffs changes that Northwest Airlines violated its privacy posted on its Web site when it shared the information. This is the second lawsuit on this matter that has been dismissed in federal court.

Judge dismisses privacy lawsuit against Northwest Airlines, Detriot Free Press, September 13, 2004