US Transportation Department launches probe into handling of passenger personal data by airlines

close

Video

Airline passenger speaks out after Boeing 737 makes emergency landing in Aruba

Pat Santry, who was on board during the emergency landing, joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the incident and how the passengers were able to remain calm despite the uncertainty. 

• Federal officials have announced a review of how airlines handle passengers' personal information and whether they profit from sharing it.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation will focus on the top 10 U.S. airlines to examine their collection, management and utilization of customer data.
• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg voiced the importance of ensuring passengers' personal information is not misused or mishandled.

Federal officials said Thursday they will review how airlines protect personal information about their passengers and whether they are making money by sharing that information with other parties.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said its review will focus on the 10 biggest U.S. airlines and cover their collection, handling and use of information about customers.

"Airline passengers should have confidence that their personal information is not being shared improperly with third parties or mishandled by employees," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

TSA NOW REQUIRES MIGRANTS WITH INSUFFICIENT IDS TO UNDERGO FACIAL RECOGNITION CHECK BEFORE FLYING

A spokeswoman for the trade group Airlines for America said, "U.S. airlines take customers’ personal information security very seriously, which is why they have robust policies, programs and cybersecurity infrastructure to protect consumers’ privacy."

Travelers gather with their luggage in the departures area of the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. Federal officials said on Thursday they will review how airlines protect personal information about their passengers and whether they are making money by sharing that information with other parties. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

In announcing the review, the Transportation Department did not make allegations against any of the carriers or cite any events that might have prompted the move. A spokesman said it is being done "proactively" to help the department determine how to protect passengers' information.

TSA'S FACIAL RECOGNITION FOR AIR TRAVEL SPARKS PRIVACY OUTRAGE

The department said it sent letters to each of the airlines — Delta, United, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian and Allegiant — about their procedures for collecting and using passenger information, including "monetization of passenger data, targeted advertising, and prevention of data breaches."

The agency also asked airlines if they have received complaints about employees or contractors mishandling personal information.

Delta, United, American, Southwest and Alaska referred questioners to the Airlines for America statement. Allegiant, which is not part of the trade group, said protecting customer data is a priority, and it welcomes the government review.