You may have noticed that the Transportation Security Administration, the agency charged with safeguarding America’s transportation systems, has a thing for video.
Last week, when it was accused of taking a passenger’s child during screening, TSA released footage of the woman that shows it never happened. And yesterday, it posted images of Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s screening incident at Salt Lake City International Airport (scroll down for the videos). The congressman had reportedly gotten into a verbal scuffle over the agency’s use of full-body scanning technology.
You may have also noticed that just yesterday, the agency announced $4.9 million in funding for airport surveillance at Philadelphia International Airport. That’s a whole lotta taping going on.
So what’s the deal with the TSA and video? I asked the agency.
Closed-circuit television technology (CCTV) is in place at hundreds of airports across the country, although the TSA declines to name the ones that have it, and, more importantly, which ones don’t. The government doesn’t own the CCTV systems. Instead, TSA partners with the airport to fund and install cameras at security checkpoints. TSA provided $70 million in funding to install CCTV installation at 20 airports in fiscal 2009, according to the agency.
How long is the footage archived? While each airport has its own policies regarding archived videos and the length of time they are saved, TSA includes an agreement for airports to archive a minimum of 30 days.
There is no audio. Airport CCTV “is video only,” according to TSA.
Who has access to the footage? Airports, local law enforcement officers and TSA all can view the tape.
How about air travelers? The answer was a little vague. “The airport authority in partnership with TSA makes the determination on who has access to view the video,” a spokeswoman told me. In other words, you might be able to view footage of your own screening just for the asking, but I wouldn’t count on it. You might need to get a court order or file a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA).
So who decides whether the video is released? It depends on the investigative, security and privacy considerations, as well as airport authority approval. “In the interest of transparency, in some instances we will post the video before the FOIA process is complete,” a spokeswoman told me.
I’m left with the impression that TSA’s video policy, like its CCTV systems, is a work in progress. If the agency can decide to post screening footage of anyone, for any reason, but average citizens may have to file a FOIA request for the same consideration, I think there are those who might consider that a double standard. But is there a better way? Can all CCTV material be posted to a public site? Should it be?
The existence of these videos also raise larger questions about a surveillance society and our right to privacy. Questions that can’t be answered in this post, but are certainly worth asking.
Personally, I don’t have a problem with the TSA taping my screening. But if it does, I think it’s only fair that I’m allowed to videotape or photograph my own screening, too. And that isn’t always allowed, even though technically, it should be, according to the agency.
(Photo: Josh Thompson/Flickr Creative Commons)
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I had always assumed there were cameras recording somewhere. In fact I’m a bit surprised to hear the TSA say it is only taping in 20 airports. Casinos do a better job with security cameras!
Anymore, we should probably all assume there’s a camera in every public place — whether it’s paid for by the government or just someone’s iPhone.
frankly i do not care; in one cas it prevented a hoax from the so called child abduction scenario
The way it is set up seems to be to cover their own ass, in case of complaints, instead of just providing transparency in case of complaints.
LOL, Jasper. If it didn’t cover their butts, they wouldn’t have installed it to begin with. Heheh. Government is never “transparent” unless it is forced to be, or unless being “transparent” also provides the benefit of CYA. Call me a cynic.
I am definitely in favor of video taping security checkpoints, and having the airports (not the TSA) be the keeper of the video.
If TSA agents know that their actions are being video taped, they are a lot more likely to follow procedure, and a lot less likely to abuse their power. Also, I think it gives TSA agents the comfort of knowing that if a frivolous claim is filed, there will be some video evidence to help them out (assuming the agent was acting properly).
This is definitely a situation where they can play CYA if it benefits them. And if they mess up and someone wants the tapes, what is the likelihood that a subpoena will be organized and delivered before 30 days and/or “loss” of the tape?
At least it can show what or how things happened that time, despite what people think or feel about it.
If someone could view their own screening process over and over wouldnt it be easier to find the loop holes in the system?
“If TSA agents know that their actions are being video taped, they are a lot more likely to follow procedure, and a lot less likely to abuse their power. If a frivolous claim is filed, there will be some video evidence to help them out (assuming the agent was acting properly)”
Agree with this — it protects both passengers and the TSA. Liability protection is a big driver for video surveillance — what if the passenger who claimed that “TSA agents took my son” filed a law suite, as a lot of people suggested to her? A lot of time and money (our taxpayer money) would have been wasted if it weren’t for the tape showing that the story was a fabrication.
Guess I’ll have to look a little closer the next time I’m at the airport. There are several things that bother me – I’d like public notice that the CCTV cameras are in place – like in London they are very public you are on video. Two, like a previous poster mentioned, I’d like the airport, not the TSA to be responsible for the tapes – both the passengers and the TSA are accountable to someone else. Third, I wish there was audio – I think a lot could be missed and actions don’t tell the whole story. Last, if I subjected to a high level search or screening I want the right to make my own recording.
“The government doesn’t own the CCTV systems. Instead, TSA partners with the airport to fund and install cameras at security checkpoints. TSA provided $70 million in funding to install CCTV installation at 20 airports in fiscal 2009, according to the agency.”
Where did TSA get the $70 million if not from the US government? Seems taxpayers should most definitely have access to the video. A lot of TSA employees are on power trips and need to be held accountable for their actions. People should be able to get a copy of their screening–or victimization, depending on how you see it.
It’s fine with me if they wish to tape my personal screening, but why can’t they also tape the searching of checked baggage? Something goes missing from your checked bag and they simply don’t know anything about it!
Re: “…right to privacy…”
Courts have ruled for years that there should be no expectation of ‘privacy’ in a public venue. And, the idea that the actions of the public and the TSA are recorded works both ways. It protects the innocent and, depending on your bias, exposes the guilty or minimized the probability of someone doing something wrong.
As mentioned earlier, it is a rare convenience store, service station, toll booth, et al, that does not have cameras. If there were not so many idiots and criminals around, this kind of thing would not be necessary. If you have nothing to hide, what’s the problem. If you do, then three cheers for the video.
I only hope it’s a digital file and not actual videotape. I would like to see the minimum storage time be increased to at least 60 days (not just for us to get a court-order, but to allow for a more thorough archive search if necessary).
I also hope the airport has a good security system for the computers doing the recording.
Just remember that CCTV systems are prosecuting cameras, not crime-prevention cameras.
The cameras at casinos, gas stations, convenience stores, etc., are there to help those companies figure out who ripped them off so they can prosecute the criminal.
As for the airport tapes: as we are all apt to do something embarrassing in public (remember seeing Jerry Jones picking his nose on that giant TV in the Cowboys stadium), I would prefer that only I and those investigating an incident see the video of me getting screened.
As for audio: there is probably not an easy or economical way to get the audio. If the CCTV’s had microphones, you would get a lot of ambient noise (like the goofy comments about not leaving your car unattended that come on every 5 minutes (who does not know this??)). Having mics placed on TSA agents or in the screening areas would be a logistical nightmare.
In Europe and the UK there will be interesting changes for both private security and national security – data protection is important.
Totally agree with Dave Burgte. They should be taping the TSA workers who are supposedly “checking” luggage for dangerous or illegal items. Had our expensive sunglasses stolen by the TSA five-finger-shoppers at HNL airport a couple years ago.