TSA program monitors innocuous traveler behavior such as whether a person slept on their plane, used the bathroom, or obtained a rental car
Washington (July 31, 2018) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, this week questioned the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after The Boston Globe revealed the existence of a domestic surveillance program called “Quiet Skies.” The news report revealed that federal air marshals are tracking U.S. citizens on planes and in airports even though they are not suspected of a crime, and then surreptitiously monitoring their behavior. In his letter, Senator Markey described the serious implications of the Quiet Skies program, expressed his concerns that the program is a violation of privacy rights, and questioned whether it is an effective use of federal resources.
“The Quiet Skies program is the very definition of ‘Big Brother’, and innocent Americans should not be subject to this kind of violation of their rights,” said Senator Markey. “This program raises serious privacy concerns, and depending on what criteria are being used for selecting individuals to surveil, including ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion, the program may be unconstitutional. We need answers about this questionable program, including if it actually resulted in arrests or prevented terrible events.”
A copy of the letter to TSA can be found HERE.
In his letter, Senator Markey requested answers to questions that include:
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