Prominent US Airlines selling passenger data to DHS through secret program

At this point, most Americans know that their personal information is often for sale. But some people would have expected their domestic flight records to be part of the business.

You may think that when you book a flight, the data lives between your, airline and perhaps your travel agency, but a new report otherwise states. Internal documents suggest that Major US Airlines is fun to a small known broker, which then sells that information directly to the Homeland Security Department.

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16 billion passwords leaked in large scale data breeches

Which airlines shared the data and how the travel intelligence program works

The center of the dispute is the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), which is jointly owned by the many largest American airlines, including Delta, American Airlines and United. The main business of ARC includes management of ticket settlements between airlines and travel agencies. However, as part of a low-known initiative called Travel Intelligence Program (TIP), ARC collects large quantities of data from domestic flight booking and moods for it. This includes name, full journey program and payment details.

The internal government records and procurement documents show that the part, customs and border security (CBP) of the Homeland Security Department has bought access to ARC’s tip data to track individuals of interest across the US, while CBP says that this data supports criminal and administrative investigations, argument of critics that the system increases the main personal concerns.

The data is shared without the knowledge or consent of the passengers, and the ARC reportedly requested that the agency keeps its identity confidential unless it is necessary to legally disclose it.

Documents confirm that CBP’s initial contract with ARC began in June 2024. It has already been increased and may continue through 2029. Although the initial zodiac signs seem modest, around $ 11,000, with recent $ 6,800 updates, the implications are far -reaching.

What is DHS collecting from your flight booking and why it is related

ARC’s travel intelligence program goes far beyond the Basic Passenger Manifest. It includes more than one billion records in both past and future travel, which has been updated daily. The system can be seen by name, credit card or even travel agency. Importantly, it does not include data of tickets purchased directly through airline websites, focusing on booking made through travel agencies, such as expidia.

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DHS has justified its use of TIP data in a public privacy impact assessment, this program helps in active investigation. The CBP said, stating that the data is used only when a case is already open. Nevertheless, it sets a dangerous example. It normalizes large-scale monitoring through third-party data purchase, reduces safety measures designed to limit unnecessary infiltration.

This is not an isolated incident. Last month, immigration and customs enforcement also accepted the arch data that purchased. Other federal agencies listed in the procurement records include secret service, SEC, DEA, TSA and even Air Force.

6 Ways you can save your privacy from data brokers

If you want to withdraw your personal information control, then there are six smart steps that you can take to reduce your exposure for data brokers right now.

1. Book flights directly on airline websites: Whenever you can, avoid using third-party travel sites such as expidia, orbitz or travel agencies. These platforms are the main sources of data collected by Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) through their travel intelligence program. When you book directly on the official website or mobile app of an airline, your data is less likely to be shared with ARC or sell to government agencies. Although this may be attractive to searching for deals on aggregator sites, once you like a rent, try to book it directly through the airline.

2. Use virtual or disposable credit card: The ARC system allows questions by credit card number, which means that your travel activity can be tracked, even if your name has not been directly discovered. To protect yourself, consider using virtual credit card or disposable card number for flight booking. They are often available through banking apps or fintech services such as Revolt, Privacy.com or some American Express accounts. Virtual cards are attached to your main account, but produce a temporary number that can be used only once or on a specific merchant. This makes it very difficult for brokers to add future booking to you.

3. Share bare minimum while booking: Be cautious about the personal information you recorded during the booking process. Avoid adding unnecessary details such as passport data for your frequent flyer numbers, domestic flights or secondary phone numbers until it is legally necessary. You can also create a distinct email address for travel booking to reduce the risk of cross-linking data with your other online accounts. When it comes to loyalty programs, if you are concerned about the data being shared in companies, consider using or using a separate identity.

4. Remove your data from the Internet: The most effective way of controlling your data and avoiding selling data brokers is to choose the option of data removal services. While no service promises to remove all your data from the Internet, if you want to continuously monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a long period, a removal service is very good. See my top pics for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already on the web Cyberguy.com/Delete

5. Use a privacy-centric browser and email service: Privacy-Prevent tracking at the source using the first tool. Switch to browsers such as brave, firefox or dakdkgo, which default advertisements and data collectors by default. Set a separate, safe surname email address for booking travel using services. It is limited how easily the brokers can connect your travel data with your online identity. Go and see my review of the best safe and private email services Cyberguy.com/mail

6. Use an identity theft protection service: If your travel or payment data is ever leaked or abused, freeze your credit can help prevent identity theft. Identification companies can help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. They can also monitor personal information like your social security number, phone number and email address and can alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or is being used to open an account.

One of the best parts of my number 1 pick is that it has identity theft insurance Up to $ 1 million to cover losses and legal charges And a white glove fraud resolution team where A The US-based case manager helps you recover any lossSee my suggestions and see how the best pics go to protect yourself from theft of identity Cyberguy.com/DentTheft

Kurt’s key to Techway

The ARC incident is still another example of federal agencies that bypassing sensitive data from private firms to ignore traditional legal channels. Passengers are not just passengers, they are data points in a growing ecosystem where information is currency. The fact is that this trade happened without informed consent and anyone should worry behind the legal smokscrain that gives importance to privacy.

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Will you change how you book flights if it means safety of your personal data? Write us and tell us Cyberguy.com/Contact

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