US Airline Industry Discreetly Selling Flight Data to DHS
TL;DR
- The US airline industry has been selling customer flight data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a data broker.
- This data includes names, flight itineraries, and financial details, and is used by various DHS agencies for investigative purposes.
- The practice raises significant concerns about data privacy and surveillance.
US Airline Industry Discreetly Selling Flight Data to DHS
A recent revelation has exposed that a data broker owned by major US airlines has been selling access to customer flight data to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This data, compiled by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), includes sensitive information such as names, flight itineraries, and financial details, covering flights booked through US travel agencies.
Data Sharing with DHS Agencies
ARC provides this data to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), both of which operate under the DHS. ARC, owned and operated by eight major US airlines, serves as the sole financial intermediary between the airline industry and US travel agencies. Its extensive database of travel information is made available through its Travel Intelligence Program (TIP).
ARC’s Role and Contracts
ARC’s unique position allows it to collect vast amounts of travel data, which it then sells to government agencies. A recent contract uncovered by 404 Media revealed that ARC’s TIP pilot program has generated meaningful results for ongoing investigations. The CBP contract, which began in June 2024 and could extend until June 2029, mandates that DHS cannot publicly disclose ARC as the source of the data unless compelled by a court order.
Data Obligations and Access
The contract with ICE provides insights into the data obligations from travel agencies. Daily, travel agencies must submit ticket sales and funds for over 240 airlines worldwide to ARC. This process enables ARC’s TIP, which is integrated into the Homeland Security Investigations Office of Intelligence (HSI INTEL) investigative mission.
Scope of the TIP Database
Those with access to the TIP database can search across 39 months of flight booking data. The database includes flight itineraries, passenger name records, travel dates, flight dates, and even credit card numbers. Other agencies that have purchased access to this database include the Secret Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Marshals Service.
Airlines Involved
Major airlines with seats on the ARC board include Delta, Southwest, United, Lufthansa, Air France, American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue. ARC also partners with hundreds of airlines and travel agencies worldwide.
Conclusion
The practice of selling customer flight data to DHS raises significant concerns about data privacy and surveillance. As more agencies gain access to this sensitive information, it becomes increasingly important to scrutinize the ethical and legal implications of such data-sharing practices. The airline industry and government agencies must ensure that they prioritize the privacy and security of travelers’ data while balancing national security needs.
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