US probes how airlines handle and share passenger data
U.S. authorities will review how airlines protect their passengers’ personal information and whether they make money by sharing that information with other parties.
The Department of Transportation announced Thursday that its review will focus on the 10 largest U.S. airlines and will cover the collection, handling and use of information about their customers.
“Airline passengers must be confident that their personal information is not improperly shared with other parties or mishandled by employees,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
A spokeswoman for the Airlines for America trade group said, “U.S. airlines take the security of customers’ personal information very seriously, which is why they have robust cybersecurity policies, programs and infrastructure in place to protect consumer privacy.”
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In announcing the review, the DOT did not make any accusations against any of the airlines or mention any events that might have prompted the action. A spokesman said it is being done “proactively” to help the department determine how to protect passenger information.
The department said it sent letters to each of the airlines – Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian and Allegiant – about their procedures for collecting and using passenger information, including “monetization of passenger data, targeted advertisements and data breach prevention.”
The agency also asked airlines whether they have received complaints about employees or contractors mishandling personal information.
Delta, United, American, Southwest and Alaska referred questioners to the Airlines for America statement. Allegiant, which is not part of the trade group, said protecting its customers’ data is a priority and that it welcomes the government review, the Associated Press reported.
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