Technology and Terror

Current Event #2
Soc 202-02
Usman Baig
United States and some European countries are considering using more advance tools to detect terror suspects on flights. The current database between that is being shared between United States and European countries allow the authorities to match the name on watch list and look into customer’s personal information such as home address, email address, payment information and lots of other things which some people consider invasion of their privacy. The recently created database prompted after British terror plot was foiled. Civil liberties and privacy expert have raised their voice against current measures being taken by the authorities. Starting in fall European would have the authority to submit a passenger list to U.S authorities before plan takes off for U.S. which would allow authorities to run a suspicious passenger’s name through a terror database to match any information. Europeans currently have no system in place to access to a passenger’s information such as name, address and other information. The current agreement allows limited access to passenger’s information. By the end of September this new system will be introduced to Europeans. Some experts believe even such an advance technology would not prevent terrorist to carry out their attacks. I think the new system which will be in effect by this fall is allow authorities unlimited access to an individual’s information. I understand safety of the people is number one priority but at the same time law enforcement agencies should not break the law. I think the new system would provoke racial profiling because authorities would only be looking for Muslim passengers. They should check every single person’s background on a flight not just people with Middle Eastern background.
Citation: Eric Lipton, “Officials Seek Broader Access to Airline Data” The New York Times: August 21, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/washington/22data.html