CAPPS II privacy notice delayed

Transportation Security Administration

The Transportation Security Administration has delayed the release of the much-anticipated revised privacy policy for the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS) II because it wants to ensure the policy's accuracy.

The Homeland Security Department was expected to release the notice last week. Carol DiBattiste, TSA's chief of staff, had said June 17 that the privacy notice would be published in the Federal Register by the end of the week.

Because the notice may shape policy, TSA has delayed its publication to ensure the accuracy of the document's wording and details, according to a senior official.

TSA officials now say they expect to release the privacy notice within two weeks.

CAPPS II is designed to identify potential terrorist threats by using passengers' names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth to confirm their identity. Privacy advocates have criticized the system for its use of personal information. Two of their concerns are the ramifications for individuals mislabeled as possible terrorists and the length of time personal information will be held in government databases.