U.S. Airport Screeners Are Watching What You Read 484
boarder8925 writes "Be careful what you read when you fly in the United States. What you read is being monitored by airport screeners and stored in a government database for years. 'Privacy advocates obtained database records showing that the government routinely records the race of people pulled aside for extra screening as they enter the country, along with cursory answers given to U.S. border inspectors about their purpose in traveling. In one case, the records note Electronic Frontier Foundation co-founder John Gilmore's choice of reading material, and worry over the number of small flashlights he'd packed for the trip. The breadth of the information obtained by the Gilmore-funded Identity Project (using a Privacy Act request) shows the government's screening program at the border is actually a survelliance dragnet."
You've Got the Wrong Guy! (Score:5, Funny)
No problem for me. (Score:5, Funny)
One Fine Day at ORD (Score:5, Funny)
"Chuck, have a look at this one."
"So he's reading something on a laptop, is it a document or the internet?"
"Use the higher magnification, it's a website."
"Ok, I see it now. Something about Patenting a knife and fork... he's typing something."
"Looks harmless enough."
"Oh, my god, he's making some reference to life in Soviet Russia! Security security move on I-424, Victor section!"
"Code yellow! He's obviously some kind of subversive."
"Wait! There's something about a Beowulf Cluster, sounds like a cell!!!"
"Code Orange, Code Orange!"
"Holy sweet mother of Jesus! He's welcoming his new overlords!"
"CODE RED!! CODE RED!! Take that m**********r down!"
[NO CARRIER]
Good. (Score:5, Funny)
Have a nice day (Score:5, Funny)
Don't worry (Score:5, Funny)
I thought what I'd do was... (Score:2, Funny)
what would happen to (Score:3, Funny)
I know what will really bother them... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Good. (Score:5, Funny)
*TWEET!*
Flag on the play! You're presuming TSA goons can read.
A Little Culture Jamming? (Score:5, Funny)
"...perhaps a selection of DIY PDF pamphlets which you print out yourself and carry through security, with titles like 'These Security Measures Aren't Doing Much For Your Public Relations, You Know' and 'Could You Work Harder At Making This Screening Process More Efficient And Effective Please?'
Sort of like a bug report."
And then:
"Here's a selection of DIY pamphlets:
[Link] [filefront.com]
Why not make your own, print out some open source book you've been wanting to read? A flight, and the necessary long wait in a security line, is the perfect opportunity."
Oh the Irony (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Phillip K.Dick (Score:4, Funny)
We need to start stoning these people. It's the only way to protect our way of life.
Re:No problem for me. (Score:3, Funny)
That's why I always carry an extra copy ... (Score:5, Funny)
Come on. What kind of bullshit is this? Wouldn't it be easier to be "classified" as "safe" just by carrying the right book?
Radical Muslim extremists could just walk through security with a copy of the Torah while wearing a kippah/yarmelke.
Re:That's why I always carry an extra copy ... (Score:4, Funny)
You know... (Score:4, Funny)
[Note to all federal eavesdroppers: THE ABOVE IS A JOKE! CHILL OUT! I'VE NEVER EVEN BEEN ON AN AIRPLANE BEFORE!]
Re:One Fine Day at ORD (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Book covers are easy to print (Score:5, Funny)
You could always try the other way by using known titles and changing them. For instance:
How to kill a mockingbird
Blowing up the bridges of Madison County
Putting bullets through the looking glass
Attack the rear window
The Stand and shoot method
Re:Statanic Verses is always an airline favorite.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You've Got the Wrong Guy! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:The End of the Republic (Score:2, Funny)
Re:No problem for me. (Score:4, Funny)
Anarchist CookBook (Score:2, Funny)
Re:So they know that I'm a fan of Alan Dean Foster (Score:1, Funny)
When we get to O'Hare, we all go through security without incident. Except me. I set the metal detectors off. I panic. What could I possible have on me that's metallic. Oh. Fuck. So they bring me over to the side and start wanding me in front of my family. Of course, the wand always goes off when it comes within proximity of my pocket with said prophylactics in it. "Son, please remove any items from your pocket", says the security dude. Reluctantly, I toss the condoms out of the pocket on to the table, in front of my entire family (my brothers, dying from laughter this whole time knowing what was in my pocket).
Who knew condom wrappers contained metal?
(posted anonymously in case I run for office some day)
It is time for anonymous cowards to stop... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:is it time for americans to stop lecturing... (Score:4, Funny)
I take it you're in the U.K.? Smile, you're on camera.
Re:You've Got the Wrong Guy! (Score:3, Funny)