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'Risk-based' aviation security screenings gain ground amid worry over misuse

Article by: SUSAN STELLIN , New York Times
Updated: March 12, 2013 - 12:09 AM

Civil liberties groups cite potential for misuse of the vast personal data that would be collected and shared.

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smarterthanuMar. 12, 13 5:37 AM

If it improves safety I'm all for it. The only people who would be opposed to this are people who are doing something illegal and have something to hide.

edinawaterMar. 12, 13 6:50 AM

"It must be proved to be effective at rooting out terrorists; it must be proportional to that goal, without violating privacy rights, and it must avoid such negative side effects as discrimination."

The proposed system will violate all three of these rules. To meet the first criteria it has to violate the second two. And frankly, the number of terrorists trying to board planes is so miniscule that they will be lost in a sea of innocent people falsely suspected of being terrorists.

Polygraphs (lie detectors) are correct about 70% of the time. I predict the proposed screening system will be less accurate than a polygraph. In the mean time we will all be put on trial and forced to prove our innocence to board a plane.

EleanoreMar. 12, 13 7:13 AM

Given their past performance I have no faith whatsoever that this administration or their departments have the ability to make the correct lawful decision when it comes to anything. their past and present act override any expectation that professionalism and experience can rise above political agenda. This is a sad time for America.

turgidMar. 12, 13 7:57 AM

They already use the available data to create watch lists. Seems like they should focus their efforts on improving that system, and not coming up with ways to herd "certain types of people" into more screening. But hey, as long as it's "separate but equal" right?

parksoy125Mar. 12, 13 9:14 AM

At what point in time does voicing an opinion against anything or any group who monitors/controls people in a blog invites a "suspect" label and gets you pulled aside? Not that far off. I'd say about 5 years they can link bloggers comments to basically in label only be a potential terrorist. Possibly already.

EleanoreMar. 12, 1310:32 AM

“At what point in time does voicing an opinion against anything or any group who monitors/controls people in a blog invites a "suspect" label and gets you pulled aside? Not that far off.” - So why is the DHS buying over a billion rounds of ammunition and mine resistant vehicles, for use domestically? (they are homeland security, not for use outside the country) We have public safety officials at the state and local levels. We have a military capability at the state and national levels. What is this quasi-military force being set up for, border defense? We already have that. National security? We already have that. Why isn't the media and congress looking into these acts by DHS?