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US government announces changes to airport screening rules

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced changes to airport security rules, moving toward a screening system based on intelligence information. DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said the new system will apply to all air carriers with international flights to the US, and is more effecting at stopping terrorist threats: These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats. The terrorist threat to global aviation is a shared challenge and ensuring aviation security is a shared responsibility. I commend our many partners around the world who have taken steps to increase their own security measures through deployment of new technology, enhanced information sharing and stronger standards to keep air travel safe.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) praised the new policy as a move away from racial profiling, calling it a step in the right direction.US President Barack Obama has called for stricter airport security in response to a failed bombing attempt by Nigerian citizen Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in December. Civil rights groups opposed temporary screening measures that automatically called for extra scrutiny of passengers traveling from certain Islamic countries, calling them unconstitutional. In January, European officials told the US that they would not install body scanning technology at airports until the countries have studied the effectiveness, safety, and threat to privacy of such devices. However, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that the UK would improve security using several measures, including body scanners.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on April 03, 2010 (boomark / email).