Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Private planes, private no more. (United States)

Written by Steve Chapman

Anyone who drives much in states with tollways has learned to love those transponders that let you whiz through without stopping to hand over your cash. It doesn't bother most of us that the government could use the signals to track our travels. But how about if the government posted that information online for anyone with an Internet connection?

If that gives you the creeps, it should. A key element of privacy is keeping control of such personal information. But the federal government is showing a flagrant disregard for that trivial concern.

The Department of Transportation, which used to allow anyone with a private plane to choose not to have their flight plans made available for public consumption, has decided to eliminate that option. So if you want to snoop into someone else's travel itinerary, you can do it.

To have their information kept out of public view, airplane owners have to provide "written certification of a valid security threat." Otherwise, they're out of luck. But why shouldn't people be allowed privacy even when it's not essential for their safety?

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has no good excuse for the change. "Both general aviation and commercial aircraft use the public airspace and air traffic control facilities, and the public has a right to information about their activities." Oh, please. We all use public streets and sidewalks, which doesn't mean the police have a right to monitor our movements and let the world know where we go.

General aviation groups aren't happy, and who can blame them? "There can be no legitimate reason for a government agency to facilitate the monitoring of wholly private activity by anyone with an internet connection," said Ed Bolen, head of the National Business Aviation Association.

But under LaHood's policy, Big Brother will be watching. And so will anyone else who wants to.

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