ACLU: TSA Behavior Profiling Unscientific and Unreliable

ACLU: TSA Behavior Profiling Unscientific and Unreliable

In a blog post on the American Civil Liberties Union’s website, the ACLU says that agents of the Transportation Security Administration use a system of “behavior detection” techniques that are unreliable and unscientific.

ACLU says TSA agents are to look out for people who are yawning, whistling, distracted or late for a flight. TSA calls these behaviors “mal-intent.” Based on these behaviors and a score of many more, agents flag that person for additional screening and questioning.

The ACLU obtained documents through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit that show that TSA’s techniques and protocols are not rooted in valid science, and could, in fact, lead to an unacceptable risk of racial and religious profiling.

According to the post, the ACLU found five top things in the TSA’s documents. Here’s a summary:

TSA’s own files show that their use of behavior detection is unreliable and unscientific. The TSA turned over many academic and scientific studies that directly undercuts the notions that officers can detect deceit or bad intentions based on people’s behavior with any reliability, especially in a place like the airport.

In 2009, TSA expanded the behavior detection program beyond security checkpoints at airports and enabled “behavior detection officers,” some in plain clothes, to spread throughout the entire airport. Officers were taught to use “casual conversation” to draw information out of travelers.

The TSA overstated the scientific validity of behavior detection techniques in communications with Congress by repeatedly assuring members that the program uses “objective criteria.”

TSA documents reveal details of specific instances of racial or religious profiling. TSA produced records of investigations into alleged profiling by behavior detection officers in Newark, Chicago, Miami and Honolulu. The records highlight which behavior indicators can be used as a pretext for harassing minorities and disfavored groups.

Based on the findings, the ACLU suggests that TSA should phase out the behavior detection program and implement a rigorous anti-discrimination training program for all employees.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3