Your Papers Please -- National I.D. Cards for America
Wilson Suite, Mezzanine Level
Speakers: David Fahti, ACLU National Prison Project, Barry Steinhardt, ACLU Technology and Liberty Program, Tim Sparapani, ACLU Legislative Office
Steinhardt, Fahti and Sparapani:
Steinhardt:
"Policy Laundering". The United States has a policy it can't pass in Congress, it goes to an international body to make it an international standard.
The RFID chips in the passport are still not secure and can be read at a distance. It's clear that passports are the first step, but will be used for things like national identity systems, REAL ID (national US driver license).
Update:
CAPPS II became "Secure Flight", the passenger no-fly list. The EU caved to the US on providing passenger data, in which we agreed to restrict data.
These are the programs we know about. We learned recently of an agreement between HHS and DHS, which violated the restrictions agreed upon with the EU.
We can chain this monster. SWIFT is a good example. EU has told SWIFT not to share data on EU citizens, and SWIFT has had to struggle with opposing the EU or the US.
Update 2:
David Fahti, staff attorney who was on the no-fly list for a couple of years. When he finally got a boarding pass, he would then be selected for secondary screening. At the screening checkpoint, they would not look for weapons, but they would look through his legal files and read the title of his books.
At Milwaukee airport, director of Midwest Airlines security stopped him in the concourse and asked him if he was a member of the "ALCU." The local sheriff cleared him with the FBI.
Another time, he was not allowed to clear customs unless he provided his social security number. He was told if he didn't, they'd put him in jail for months.
Fact that he didn't get stopped all the time shows how bad the system is. The "Keystone Kops" aspect of it like "Mr. ALCU": Once a airline employee tried to call the no-fly TSA hotline, and no one answered. To flummox them, all you have to do is tell them you won't give them the info they want, or just ask them if you're required to give the info and what happens if you don't. Obviously, al Qaeda will never think of this.
Government officials always abuse their authority. If it was scary for Fahti, imagine what it's like for immigrants.
Update more:
Tim Sparapani describes the far-reaching effects of the creation of a national ID system. Lack of ID can be used to prevent access to government buildings.
Copies of your birth certificate, utility bills, and other documents will be scanned and stored in a database which can be accessed by DMV officials in any state.
The NRA has won protection at the federal level against a database of gun owners. But this ID system will be administered at the state level, where there is no protection.
Question time:
First question is from a nutter who got stopped at a border because her toddler threw a tantrum. Barry handles it well: "Thanks for that."
Second is question from legal director of ACLU Montana: What leverage does the federal government have over the states? Potentially, citizens can be prevented from opening bank accounts.
How did Fahti get off the no fly list? He has no idea, or even if he is off. DHS says there is no way to get off the list.
Comment about RFID: Aren't they going to be in products, not just in passports.
How to block the RFID chip? Barry says they're very fragile things. They can also be blocked by using aluminum foil.
If you renew your passport now, you don't get the RFID chip for years down the road.
Two comments: Police have been monitoring IM conversations for years. And the face recognition software is getting cheaper and easier to use.
Comment from ACLU client who has investigated eavesdropping: All cell phones can be used to track your location, of course. But it also can be turned on remotely to listen in on conversations.
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