Shut down TSA’s “Quiet Skies” spy program!
Petition to DHS:
The TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program is using surveillance and covert spy “tradecraft” to follow travelers flying in the US, even though they are not suspected of committing a crime or being associated with terrorism. Not only do TSA’s own federal marshalls agree “Quiet Skies” is a waste of government resources, “Quiet Skies” is a blatant violation of privacy rights.
The TSA already makes us take off our shoes and pats us down to get into airport terminals, but now they’re going even further. Unarmed, uncover TSA federal marshals are spying on you and any kind of passengers flying domestically in the U.S.1
Since March, the TSA program “Quiet Skies” follows, monitors, and collects data on thousands of passengers who aren’t even suspected of committing a crime or having tied to terrorism. Sign the petition: Tell the Department of Homeland Security to shut down the “Quiet Skies” spy program.
Even TSA’s own federal marshals have grave doubts about the “Quiet Skies” program. According to the Boston Globe, some federal marshals have texted, “we need to have an easy way to document this nonsense. Congress needs to know that it’s gone from bad to worse.”2
“Quiet Skies” specifically targets travelers who are not under investigation by any agency and are not in the Terrorist Screening Database.3 So what’s that look like?
It starts with armed, undercover federal agents following you past TSA security screening. They track your movements, who you talk to, and whether or not you use the restroom. Then they get on the flight with you and document if you have visible piercing or tattoos, if you fall asleep during the flight, and whether you have sweaty palms or appear nervous.
Thousands of people have already been followed and spied on when they’ve flown within the U.S. And the next time you go to the airport, it could be you who has a teams of armed federal marshals tracking you.
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to shut down this TSA spy program. Tell them: Shut down the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” spy programs on innocent air travelers.