more on American Airlines disclosed passenger data

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

From: "sbaker () steptoe com" <sbaker () steptoe com>

Dave:

Here's a somewhat contrary press release from Airline Automation.

Stewart

TUSCAN, Ariz., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Airline Automation, Inc. (AAI), a
technology company that provides various services to the airline industry,
offers this public statement in response to recent press reports concerning
its authorized and limited transmission in 2002 of American Airlines
passenger name record (PNR) data to certain companies working on government
security programs.


AAI provided American Airlines PNR data in 2002 to four companies that were
then testing aviation security systems for the Transportation Security
Administration. This testing was part of that U.S. Government agency's
effort to improve aviation security in response to the shocking events of
9/11. AAI provided the data only after receiving the express authorization
of American Airlines in May 2002 to release PNR data for such security
testing purposes. The authorization from American Airlines made clear that
AAI was to receive written instructions from TSA concerning the details of
the release of the data to be provided for testing.

TSA later provided those instructions to AAI, requesting AAI to provide the
American Airlines data to four companies that were testing aviation security
systems for TSA. AAI did so with the full knowledge and involvement of TSA
officials engaged in efforts to test systems designed to improve airline
security, as contemplated by the authorization from American Airlines.

To make sure that the data stayed confidential, AAI obtained detailed
non-disclosure agreements from each of the four companies. These agreements
imposed strict constraints on the ability of the companies to share the data
with any other person or entity. The agreements also required that each
company return the data upon the completion of the testing and destroy any
copies of the data, workpapers or other documents or materials reflecting
the data. Each of the companies has either returned the data to AAI or
confirmed that the data and any related materials were destroyed.

AAI understands that this matter could be investigated by the Department of
Homeland Security. AAI does not intend to comment further during the
pendency of any such investigation other than as may be necessary to correct
any misinformation that might appear in the interim. 

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/