Research Report
In order to effectively combat terrorist-related activities and other serious international crimes, law enforcement authorities must identify terrorists and other international criminals during the only two instances in which they reveal themselves to the international community--when they travel abroad and when they transact abroad. Recognizing this notion nearly two decades ago, the United States and other global powers began sharing information pertaining to financial transactions for the purpose of combating money-laundering and its support of the international drug trade. Then, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, both governments started using this financial information sharing network to combat terrorism. During the same period, the United States began secretly subpoenaing financial records from SWIFT under TFTP. It also passed legislation that required air carriers “operating a passenger flight in foreign air transportation to the United States to provide the Commissioner of Customs with PNRs data,” and that would eventually require the United States and the European Union to agree on how the E.U. airlines would provide that PNR data.
While the PNR data transfers and the TFTP maintain the appropriate focus of identifying suspected terrorists when they reveal themselves to the international community, they do not provide adequate privacy protection for citizens of foreign countries. Therefore, a careful balance must be struck between tracking down suspected international criminals--including terrorists--and the protection of privacy rights. In order to strike this delicate balance, (1) the United States should terminate the TFTP immediately and improve the existing system of financial information exchange to satisfy its AML/CFT needs, and (2) the United States and the European Union should work to develop an international system of travel information exchange based on the existing model of financial information exchange.
The Registered Traveler Pilot Program is an airline passenger security assessment system that was tested in the United States air travel industry in 2005. It was used in several U.S. airports in a voluntary pilot phase and continues in operation in several airports around the country. There are also registered traveler programs in other countries, such as in London, UK. It is administered by TTAC, the TSA office responsible for Secure Flight, the replacement for the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS) and the canceled CAPPS II counter-terrorism system. Registered Traveler is a public/private partnership with the TSA and the Registered Traveler Interoperabilty Consortium (RTIC) providing rules and standards for private Enrollment Providers that sign up participants. As of August 2007, FLO, Unisys, Verant, Verified, and Vigilant have met TSA's criteria to provide Enrollment services for Registered Traveler.
The program seeks to identify passengers who pose a minimal security risk, and then provide those passengers an enhanced security checkpoint experience. Passengers will voluntarily pay a fee and submit to a background check to become a Registered Traveler. Passengers who pass the background check will be issued a smartcard credential for use at the security checkpoints of airports that participate in the program. Registered Travelers will have access to a reserved security lane and will enjoy a shorter wait at the security checkpoint. Other benefits, such as allowing Registered Travelers to keep their coats and shoes on and their laptops in their bags have also been discussed and Clear Registered Traveler does have machines that now screen shoes for metal, and as long as a traveler doesn't have metal, they may not have to take off their shoes. Any U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident over the age of 18 can apply for membership, as can minors over the age of 12 with parental or guardian sponsorship.
In order to prevent a terrorist with a clean background from compromising the system, the Transportation Security Administration requires that registered travelers undergo the normal TSA screening (baggage x-ray and personal metal detector), as well as the RT kiosk checkpoint. Additionally, Registered Travelers are not exempt from random secondary screening and may not bring prohibited items into secure areas of terminals.