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TSA's "CAPPS II" System Prompts Lawsuit

Posted by Hemos on from the garnering-lawsuits-like-flies-on dept.

ghettoboy22 writes "A local news station is reporting that a lawsuit is being filed in US District Court here in Alaska tomorrow morning, challenging part of the TSA's "CAPPS II" system. Here in Alaska, roads only link approx. 10% of the state, making air travel the equivalent mode of transportation as a traditional motor vehicle is in the rest of the country, and where being red-flagged means you couldn't even leave your own town/village! The matter is further complicated by the fact that many smaller towns in the state have no street addressing system, which is part of what CAPPS II aims to collect on travelers. Forbes.com is also carring a Reuters copy of the story as well. Here's to hoping it's the first step to a successful legal battle!"

14 comments

  1. So it only affects people we don't want flying? by schoolsucks · · Score: 1

    So if I understand this correctly, you are only flagged if you are considered suspicious. Isn't that what we all want, stopping suspicious people from getting on planes? I don't see the problem then

    1. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by Gabey · · Score: 5, Insightful

      No, that's not what we want, because there's no control/monitoring over who is considered "suspicious" and the false positive rate is FAR too high.

      A false positive for these people would mean that they can't leave their own town...that's a serious problem.

    2. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by HeghmoH · · Score: 4, Insightful

      No. You should not be prevented from participating in society merely because you're "suspicious".

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    3. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by schoolsucks · · Score: 1

      What's to say that they are actually a threat? Wouldn't you want to do everything in your power to stop such people?

    4. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Read your first question again and think hard about it.

    5. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by alansz · · Score: 3, Informative

      No, it's not what we really want, as Carnival Booth clearly shows.

    6. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by Dyolf+Knip · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Great. You can't fly because a computer thinks your life is shifty-looking.

      Kindly remember the US government's idea of what qualifies as 'suspicious'. People clenching their fists. People carrying an almanac. People who publicly oppose Bush and his adminstration's policies. People with names vaguely similar to that of other suspicious people. All of them have either been officially declared suspicious or unofficially red-flagged because someone higher up didn't like them. You want to be the one to tell a person they're never allowed to leave town because they once wore a 'suspiciously' heavy jacket on a warm day?

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    7. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by pvt_medic · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The problem with this and other systems is that there is no oversight, or no way to object. The procedures, the criteria to be labeled suspicious is classified because it involves national security. Once your on the list you cant get off the list. The system doesnt go by the fact that you are a known terrorist or something it goes by the fact you have similarities to a terrorist. (Although some people with the same or similar names to terrorist and their aliases have lots of problems).

      But the fun isnt ending there. Here in Boston the MBTA police are going to start Random ID Checks. While they claim that they are profiling people behavior and not racially profiling them. THe criteria used is sesitive and not public information (although is based off of Israeli tatics). I was at South Station the other day (A stop on the T in Boston) and there was a man carring a tv who was being questioned by police for being suspicious (he was arab too). Well thats fine except South Station is the intersection of Train, bus and T routes, so half the people on the platform had luggage bags and we not being questioned. As you can see already issues of who being profiled (and I am skipping the whole constituionality of the right of a cop to randomly ID you and ask why you are here. We are not in Nazi Germany where you had to have your papers and a reason to travel anywhere.

      Well I probably should get off my soap box now and take a breath. The problem basically with these systems is we are judging people without them knowing, and we are branding them without them knowing, and they cant do anything about it. How would you like that?

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    8. Re:So it only affects people we don't want flying? by a24061 · · Score: 1
      suspect != guilty

      That's the point of due process.

  2. Alaskans Sue to Stop CAPPS II by Lord+Zerrr · · Score: 0

    Here is a link to Wired news covering the story.

    Wired News Story link

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  3. An Aloha Perspective by MrIcee · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I can certainly feel for this particular issue. I've often wondered what the impact of CAPPS would be on places like Alaska, or where I live - the Big Island of Hawai'i.

    Since the Big Island is not the main island (Oahu) about the only way to get between the islands is airplane (sure, I could book a cruise ship, but that is neither fast nor cost effective).

    To top it off, I'm also arab - so what happens if, for whatever reason, I end up on this list. It would probably mean I would not be allowed to leave this island for any reason whatsoever - or if I did manage to leave the island - a good possibility that I would not be able to return home.

    That, of course, could have major impacts on jobs (many people leave the islands to look for work) - or healthcare (specialists are often on other islands or the mainland).

    What would the impact be if someone were refused flight who had a medical emergency and ended up dieing one wonders.

    1. Re:An Aloha Perspective by baywulf · · Score: 1

      "What would the impact be if someone were refused flight who had a medical emergency and ended up dieing one wonders."

      The impact would depend on if it is an election year or not and whether that someone is rich or famous.

  4. Not only that. by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

    You can't drive to Juneau, from most of the major cities.