WASHINGTON: Federal officials announced on March 21 that they will be conducting a review of how airlines safeguard personal information of their passengers and whether they are profiting from sharing that information with other parties.
The US Department of Transportation disclosed that the review will specifically focus on the 10 largest US airlines and will delve into their practices of collecting, handling, and utilizing information about their customers.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of ensuring that airline passengers can trust that their personal information is not being shared inappropriately with third parties or mismanaged by airline employees.
A spokesperson for the trade group Airlines for America reassured that US airlines prioritize the security of customers’ personal information, stressing that they have stringent policies, programs, and cybersecurity systems in place to safeguard consumers’ privacy.
Although no specific allegations were made against any airlines or incidents that prompted this review, the Transportation Department clarified that this proactive measure aims to help determine better ways to protect passengers’ information.
The department confirmed that letters have been sent to each of the 10 airlines under review – including Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Allegiant – inquiring about their protocols for collecting and utilizing passenger information, as well as their approaches to data monetization, targeted advertising, and data breach prevention.
In addition to these queries, airlines were also asked if they have received any complaints regarding mishandling of personal information by employees or contractors.
Several major airlines, such as Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Alaska, directed inquiries to the statement released by Airlines for America, while Allegiant, being outside the trade group, expressed its prioritization of customer data protection and its readiness to cooperate with the government review.
– AP
