Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Home : Graphics On : Privacy Policy    Sign up for Email: Search:
	Press Releases April 07, 2004   DHS RESPONDS TO SENS. COLLINS, LIEBERMAN REQUEST TO EXPLAIN TSA’S ROLE IN OBTAINING SENSITIVE AIRLINE PASSENGER INFORMATION TSA Asked JetBlue to Provide Data for Screening Program   WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a letter to Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) did play a role in obtaining sensitive airline passenger information from JetBlue. In February, Senators Collins and Lieberman wrote to Under Secretary Hutchinson to determine whether TSA was involved in the transfer of millions of Passenger Name Records to an Army contractor. The Senators requested copies of any written communications from TSA to JetBlue Airways related to the Army’s research project conducted by Torch Concepts, as well as an explanation of why this information might not have been previously disclosed. “In May or June 2002, the Department of Defense requested TSA’s assistance in obtaining airline passenger data for use by DOD’s subcontractor, Torch Concepts. TSA and DOD employees met with Torch Concepts at that time. Torch Concepts was engaged in a Base Security Enhancement Study, involving analyzing traffic patterns on or near military installations. TSA was interested in learning more about the Torch Concepts approach because TSA was actively considering various ideas for the ultimate concept for CAPPS II. The briefing on the Torch Concepts application gave TSA the opportunity to learn about a potential approach to aviation-passenger risk evaluation,” Hutchinson wrote. “At the briefing, DOD asked for TSA’s assistance in obtaining PNR data that Torch Concepts needed to provide a proof of concept for its application. In a July 30, 2002 memorandum, TSA requested that JetBlue provide archived passenger data to the DOD. Except for an email from Torch confirming that it was arranging to receive the data, there is no record of any further communication to or from TSA on this matter and the results of the project do not appear to have been sent to TSA. As you know, the DHS Chief Privacy Officer recently issued a report on TSA’s involvement in this matter and has referred her findings to the DHS Inspector General for further review. In his response, Hutchinson also reaffirmed his agency’s “unparalleled commitment to creating a culture that supports privacy values. …Part of that commitment is to provide transparency about the Department’s operations and to implement appropriate procedures for data usage going forward.” In October 2003, the Senators also wrote to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld regarding an Army contractor’s acquisition of private passenger information from JetBlue Airways for a data mining research project. Specifically, they asked Rumsfeld to determine if DOD followed Privacy Act regulations by, among other things, publishing a notice regarding the system of records being created by the contractor and preventing unauthorized disclosures. DOD Inspector General’s office has been investigating the incident since last November, and a report is expected soon.   ###   Printable Version   Related File(s) (pdf) DHS response to Sens. Collins and Lieberman on TSA's involvement with jetBlue (225.9 KBs) « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 April 2004 Press Releases March   |  May   --   2003   |  2005     April 30 - Senator Collins’ Bill Would Improve Federal Support for Local Emergency Medical Services   April 28 - Chairman Collins Holds Hearing to Examine Waste of Taxpayer Dollars in Federal Purchase Card Program   April 28 - Senator Collins: Pass Legislation to Better Coordinate Mental Health Services for Children   April 20 - Senator Collins Receives Answers on Terrorist Threat Integration Center   April 14 - Senators Collins, Lieberman Ask TSA: What Other Airlines Have Been Contacted and Asked for Passenger Information?   April 8 - DHS Report Highlights Need for Collins’ Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act   April 7 current Press Release   April 7 - Senator Collins Wraps Up Series of Hearings on Postal Reform
About the Committee | Hearings | Legislation & Nominations | Press | Issues | Subcommittees | Committee Documents | Related Links
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510