Airline screening fails privacy test, new report says

WASHINGTON – The government’s latest computerized airline passenger screening program doesn’t adequately protect travelers’ privacy, according to a congressional report that could further delay a project considered a priority after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Congress passed a law last year that the Transportation Security Administration could spend no money to implement the program, called Secure Flight, until the Government Accountability Office has reported that it meets 10 conditions. Those include privacy protection, accuracy of data, oversight, cost and safeguards to ensure the system won’t be abused or accessed by unauthorized people.

The Government Accountability Office found nine of the 10 conditions have not been met and questioned whether Secure Flight would ultimately work.

“The effectiveness of Secure Flight in identifying passengers who should undergo additional security scrutiny has not yet been determined,” the report said.

TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield called the report “interim” and said it contains no surprises.

“The delays we’ve experienced were the result of additional steps implemented for privacy protection, public notification and solicitation of public comment,” Hatfield said, adding the agency plans to go ahead with Secure Flight.