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2025-07-04 -Land of the Free
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Airlines secretly sold US travelers' data to Homeland Security
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[FoxNews] Internal documents reveal how major US airlines shared passenger data through a covert program used by federal agencies
At this point, most Americans are aware that their personal information is often up for sale. But few would have expected their domestic flight records to be part of the trade.
You might think that when you book a flight, the data stays between you, the airline and perhaps your travel agency, but a new report suggests otherwise. Internal documents reveal that major U.S. airlines have been funneling detailed passenger data to a little-known broker, which then sells that information directly to the Department of Homeland Security.
WHICH AIRLINES SHARED DATA AND HOW THE TRAVEL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM WORKS
At the center of the controversy is the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), a company jointly owned by several of the largest U.S. airlines, including Delta, American Airlines and United. ARC’s core business includes managing ticket settlements between airlines and travel agencies. However, under a lesser-known initiative called the Travel Intelligence Program (TIP), ARC collects and monetizes vast amounts of data from domestic flight bookings. This includes names, complete itineraries and payment details.
Internal government records and procurement documents reveal that Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has purchased access to ARC's TIP data to track individuals of interest across the U.S. While CBP maintains that this data supports criminal and administrative investigations, critics argue that the arrangement raises major privacy concerns.
The data is shared without travelers' knowledge or consent, and ARC reportedly requested that the agency keep its identity confidential unless legally required to disclose it.
The documents confirm that CBP’s initial contract with ARC began in June 2024.
| A year ago? A Biden Politburo bright idea. But why did they start it so late in his term? |
It has already been extended and may continue through 2029.
| Was this included in a law passed by Congress, or was it a presidential executive order? Because if it was an EO, President Trump can shut it down just as easily. |
Although the initial amounts seem modest, around $11,000 with a recent $6,800 update, the implications are far-reaching.
WHAT DHS IS COLLECTING FROM YOUR FLIGHT BOOKINGS AND WHY IT’S CONCERNING
ARC’s Travel Intelligence Program goes far beyond basic passenger manifests. It includes over a billion records spanning both past and future travel, updated daily. The system can be queried by name, credit card or even travel agency. Importantly, it does not include data from tickets purchased directly through airline websites, focusing instead on bookings made via travel agencies, such as Expedia.
The DHS has justified its use of TIP data in a public Privacy Impact Assessment, noting the program helps in active investigations. CBP echoed this, stating that data is only used when a case is already open. Still, this sets a dangerous precedent. It normalizes mass surveillance through third-party data purchases, undermining safeguards designed to limit unnecessary intrusion.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement also acknowledged purchasing ARC data. Other federal agencies listed in procurement records include the Secret Service, SEC, DEA, TSA and even the Air Force.
6 WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY FROM DATA BROKERS
If you want to take back control of your personal information, here are six smart steps you can take right now to reduce your exposure to data brokers.
1. Book flights directly on airline websites: Whenever you can, avoid using third-party travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz or travel agencies. These platforms are the main sources of the data collected by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) through its Travel Intelligence Program.
2. Use virtual or disposable credit cards: The ARC system allows queries by credit card number, which means your travel activity can be tracked even if your name is not directly searched.
3. Share the bare minimum when booking: Be cautious about the personal information you enter during the booking process. Unless it is legally required, avoid adding unnecessary details like your frequent flyer number, passport data for domestic flights or secondary phone numbers.
4. Remove your data from the internet: The most effective way to take control of your data and avoid data brokers from selling it is to opt for data removal services.
5. Use a privacy-focused browser and email service: Prevent tracking at the source by using privacy-first tools. Switch to browsers like Brave, Firefox or DuckDuckGo.
6. Use an identity theft protection service: If your travel or payment data is ever leaked or abused, freezing your credit can help prevent identity theft.
KURT’S KEY TAKEAWAY
The ARC incident is yet another example of federal agencies bypassing traditional legal channels by buying sensitive data from private firms. Travelers are not just passengers, they are data points in a growing ecosystem where information is currency. 
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Posted by Skidmark 2025-07-04 00:30||
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