TSA's Culture of Surveillance Invades Academic Research
Purdue University researchers conducted a test with the cooperation of the Indianapolis Airport Authority security. The project tested technology that monitors Bluetooth emitting devices to time air travelers' progress through security checkpoints. The test was conducted at the Indianapolis Airport between May 8 and June 2, 2009. The technology used to snoop on Bluetooth enabled cellphones and personal digital devices was stationed at the entrance and exit from security screening points. Although the report states that the test read the unique Media Access Control (MAC) address of Bluetooth devices at 10 meters, the actual range of the technology is 100 meters. The MAC addresses were truncated to prevent re-identification with passengers' unique devices out of concern for the privacy. The Transportation Security Administration has shown interest in surveillance technology and deployed systems that are highly invasive such as whole body scanning systems. The agency has heavily invested in surveillance systems and is influencing the research interest of academic projects around the nation.
Airport device follows fliers' phones, By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY, March 23, 2010
