Automated Targeting System
The Automated Targeting System (ATS) is a United States Department of Homeland Security computerized system that, for every person who crosses U.S. borders, scrutinizes a large volume of data related to that person (see below), and then automatically assigns a rating for which the expectation is that it helps gauge whether this person may be placed within a risk group of terrorists or other criminals. Similarly ATS analyzes data related to container cargo.
These ratings take many details into account, such as country of origin, how travel to the U.S. was funded, and the visitor's driving record. Other more mundane details are also factored in, such as where the person is sitting on the flight and what they ordered for their meal.
The existence of such a system was first discovered by the public in November 2006, when a mention of it appeared in the Federal Register. The system was first implemented in the late 1990s, and was significantly expanded shortly after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Exemption from Privacy Act
Following the controversial Passenger Name Record agreement signed with the European Union (EU) in 2007, the Bush administration proposed to exempt the Automated Targeting System from the requirements of the 1974 Privacy Act for access to records and for an accounting of disclosures. Those proposed exemptions were finalized on February 3, 2010.
Litigation
Lawsuits have been filed under both the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) seeking disclosure of information about ATS as well as records from ATS dossiers about individuals.
EFF v. Department of Homeland Security
Shearson v. Department of Homeland Security
In 't Veld v. Department of Homeland Security
Hasbrouck v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Gellman v. Department of Homeland Security et al.
Opposition
Organizations and security experts have expressed opposition to the system, citing concerns about reliability and undue scrutiny.
The American Civil Liberties Union had similar concerns:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) requested an immediate suspension of the program, stating:
Bruce Schneier, noted security specialist and writer, wrote about ATS:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation expressed their concerns:
The Identity Project (Papersplease.org) filed a series of formal comments objecting to the ATS:
See also
References
External links
- Associated Press article discussing ATS
- Washington post article discussing contents of ATS records
- Government documentation on ATS
- Slashdot article discussing ATS
- EPIC - Automated Targeting System
- Brief Forbes article on ATS Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ACTE - North America Traveler Security and Data Privacy publications on ATS