October 22, 2008

Homeland Security Clears Secure Flight but Watchlists Remain

The Department of Homeland Security announced today the Final Regulations for the Secure Flight program. All airlines will now be required to collect date of birth and gender from customers and provide this information to the TSA for watchlist verification. A DHS Redress number, if previously issued, would also be collected. EPIC has warned in Congressional testimony that accuracy problems will continue to plague Secure Flight unless passengers are able to challenge the government's watchlist determinations. EPIC also recommended that the redress procedures be modified to limit data collection and to prescribe penalties for Privacy Act violations.