WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The Rhode Island branch of the American Civil Liberties Union says it objects to a federal “behavior detection” program designed to spot passengers who are potential threats being implemented at T.F. Green Airport.
The ACLU on Monday denounced the Rhode Island Airport Commission’s participation in the Transportation Security Administration’s Behavior Detection and Analysis Program.
The ACLU says the program, approved in June, encourages racial profiling and has been discredited by experts.
The TSA trains “behavior detection officers” to watch passengers for behaviors the government associates with stress, fear or deception.
The program at T.F. Green will record trained actors posing as passengers and actual travelers.
The Airport Commission says passengers who don’t want to be recorded will be able to opt out.
It’s unclear whether the program has begun.
