The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is under fire for requiring all passengers to under go a digital strip search prior to boarding domestic flights. A policy reversal by the TSA now means that a "virtual strip search" is mandatory, instead of voluntary as originally announced. EPIC and others say that there are inadequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of the images. They are asking Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the program and to allow for public comment. The agency's ability to change its data collection, use, and sharing policy on the use of the technology without notice or input from outside of the agency is the fundamental threat to privacy protection.
White House Seeks Input on Federal Government Transparency
The White House is seeking public comments on its new open government initiative. This is the first of a three phase process designed to engage open government experts, the public, and advocates in the process of developing recommendations on the best approach for establishing and sustaining federal open government policies. The recommendations will be used to develop instructions to guide executive departments and agencies on the implementation of open government rules. The first phase is an online brainstorming process that will end May 28, 2009.
Privacy Coalition Launches Campaign to Stop Airport Strip Searches
EPIC is leading a national campaign by the Privacy Coalition to suspend the use of "Whole Body Imaging" -- devices that photograph American air travelers stripped naked in US airports. The campaign responds to a policy reversal by the TSA which would now make the digital strip search mandatory instead of voluntary as originally announced. EPIC and others say that there are inadequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of the images. They are seeking signatures on a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The deadline for organizations, experts, and travelers to sign the letter is May 31, 2009.
Privacy Coalition Launches Campaign to Halt the Use of Whole Body Imaging
EPIC announced a national campaign today to suspend the use of "Whole Body Imaging" -- devices that photograph American air travelers stripped naked in US airports. The campaign responds to a policy reversal by the TSA which would now make the the "virtual strip search" mandatory, instead of voluntary as originally announced. EPIC and others say that there are inadequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of the images. They are asking Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the program and to allow for public comment.
Would you be willing to be subjected to "whole-body imaging," which critics say performs "a virtual strip search"? The decision by the Department of Homeland Security to make Whole Body Image scanning a requirement for all travelers on commercial airlines is a hot top among privacy advocates. The CNN poll is on the right menu bar, half way down the page (limited time to cast a vote).
June 2-4, 2009 19th Annual Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference
The meeting will take place in Washington, DC. The event draws the participation of activists, technologists, academics, and government experts. The meeting will feature decision makers serving in the Obama Administration, privacy activists, legal scholars, and technologists. Registration
The Department of Homeland Security's Chief Privacy Office is seeking to fill the position of Senior Privacy Analyst at the GS-301-15 level. Responsibilities include advising the Chief Privacy Officer and Deputy Chief Privacy Officer on the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Applications for the position will close on May 20, 2009.
DOJ IG Report on FBI Terrorist Watch List Finds Errors
The Department of Justice released a report from the agency's office of inspector general that found that about 24,000 names on its terrorist watch list is based on "outdated" or "irrelevant information," and neglected to include others with real terrorist links. The secret lists are used to screen airline passengers from domestic and international flights.
DHS in Search of Applicants to Agency's Privacy Advisory Committee
The Department of Homeland Security is seeking applications for appointments to the agency's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. The committee provides advice at the request of the Secretary of DHS and the agency's Chief Privacy Officer on privacy related matters. The agency is seeking to fill two terms that would expire in January 2012, and January 2013. Applications for the positions must be received by the agency on or before June 8, 2009.
Supreme Court Rules Knowledge of ID Theft is Essential
In a critical case for the emerging field of identity management, the Supreme Court today reversed a lower court opinion and ruled unanimously in favor of the petitioner. The Court held that individuals who provide identification numbers that are not their own, but don't intentionally impersonate others, cannot be subject to harsh criminal punishments under federal law. The case involved a mandatory 2-year prison term, added on to a prior conviction, for presenting a fake Social Security Number to an employer.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Government Services Administration seeking agency records concerning its agreements with Social Networking services including Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, Blip.tv, and Facebook. In the FOIA request, EPIC is requesting for the public release of the contracts, and any legal options concerning the application of the Privacy Act of 1974 and Freedom of Information Act to the services that collect information on users.
Demand for Increased Transparency for DOJ's use of Network Surveillance
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is seeking an investigation of the Department of Justice's failure to make public statistics detailing federal use of "pen registers" and "trap and trace" devices, which record "non-content" information about telephone calls, email and web traffic. In a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, EPIC observed that the Attorney General is required to provide to Congress detailed statistics concerning the use of these techniques. Yet, "the DOJ does not publicly disclose pen register reports as a matter of course." EPIC also raised questions regarding the agency's compliance with reporting requirements for the period 2004-2008. The lack of public accountability for these network monitoring techniques contrasts with the U.S. Courts' routine public reporting of federal wiretaps, EPIC said. The Courts released the most recent wiretap report on April 27, 2009.
