Fergie's Tech Blog

Traveling Abroad? DHS Has Its Eyes on You

Alice Lipowicz writes on GCN.com:

Terrorism risk assessments will be assigned to any individuals seeking to enter or leave the United States, according to a Homeland Security Department announcement. The records are excluded from public review and maintained for up to 40 years.

In a Federal Register notice, DHS said the Automated Targeting System passenger screening is not new, but the agency does not identify when the program began. The purpose of the Nov. 2 announcement is to provide additional notice to the public of the system’s existence and what functions it performs, DHS said. Public comments are due by Dec. 4.

Travelers leaving the United States by airline since Sept. 11, 2001, have been screened against a terrorist watch list. The newly disclosed assessments apply to travelers who leave by foot and by automobile as well, the Federal Register notice said.

Privacy groups describe the risk assessments as intrusive.

posted by Fergie @ 11/10/2006 10:54:00 AM