Blogger: Kevin Kampman
I’ve been a member of the CLEAR program for over two years. I signed up to see what this joint effort between the TSA and a commercial entity could accomplish in the identity arena, and because of the advantage of getting through airport security on an expedited basis. While the latter was compelling, it didn’t really pan out, as you still have to go through the same security vetting as everyone else. You just go to the head of the line, in airports where the service is available. Until today, that is, when CLEAR ceased operations due to its inability to secure additional private funding.
CLEAR is not the only attempt to pre-screen travelers. Similar programs exist in Europe and for cross border travel between the US and Canada. For a fee, you can subject yourself to a background check and go through an expedited screening at the airport or point of entry. All of these programs raise the question: “To what extent am I being monitored?” but this is apparently not a deterrent to convenience.
What’s more interesting are the artifacts. For one, I have a smartcard with my biometric information that is considered acceptable government identification. The card was issued based upon a fairly extensive TSA background check. It has my photo, name, and an expiration date in 2013. It is supposed to be interoperable with other domestic traveler programs. I wonder if these government sanctioned smartcards still recognized by TSA and the other programs, or are we back to passports or driver’s licenses?
I am not surprised by CLEAR’s failure, but it raises other serious questions: Who gets custody of the background data that’s been collected over the life of the program? Will that data be archived or destroyed? Will another company or agency take over? (CLEAR's privacy policy doesn't seem to directly address the issue of what a successor entity can and can't do with the data that's been collected). Finally, what are TSA’s plans for this contingency? The TSA website currently doesn't say anything about CLEAR's termination.
The one experience that stands out is when I used my CLEAR card at my local airport, which has no frequent traveler support. One advantage of the card is that it can be used at any airport, not just those served by CLEAR. The TSA agent had not seen one before, and I had to explain what it was. To which she replied: “The government knows too much…”
CLEARly, in the case of identity, not so much after all.
Interesting post. I suspect this event will be talked about for a while from a lot of perspectives. You've asked the question about all the data - personal, background, payment, biometric. It all needs to be dealt with and I think many would be surprised to learn who really has it.
Some have specifically focused on the biometric data and it confuses me why this is more a concern than their personal or payment information. I submit that is because it is more a cultural issue than anything else. In reality personal and payment information poses more a threat to someone than their biometric. I expanded on this in my blog.
http://jeffreyhuth.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jeffrey Huth | June 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Well put, Kevin. And very brave of you to give CLEAR a chance!
Posted by: Mike Neuenschwander | June 30, 2009 at 07:57 PM