Access to passport files has gotten easier

[sce56]

Source: CNN & Time


The State Department is under fire for the revelation that employees or contractors for the agency were snooping through the passport records of three presidential candidates, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, at different points over the last year. But at the same time agency workers were breaching the files of those high-profile individuals, it turns out that the Bush Administration was in the process of greatly expanding the number of agencies and foreign governments that have routine access to that same database. Called Passport Records, the sensitive computer system includes all documents, photographs and information attached to passport applications and renewals.

The State Department is under fire for the revelation that employees or contractors for the agency were snooping through the passport records of three presidential candidates, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, at different points over the last year. But at the same time agency workers were breaching the files of those high-profile individuals, it turns out that the Bush Administration was in the process of greatly expanding the number of agencies and foreign governments that have routine access to that same database. Called Passport Records, the sensitive computer system includes all documents, photographs and information attached to passport applications and renewals.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1724759,00.html?cnn=yes

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Big Brother is watching and allowing fellow big brothers around the world to watch us. So much for land of the free, now it is the freedom to spy on us!

[Clear Blue Sky]

1. What's in the files?

Shouldn't be much more than basic ID stuff and travel. For public officials travel records are available through their offices. Certainly much less in passport files than medical files and stuff like that.

[sce56]

2. Well where have you been outside this country all of your life?

For example say you are Muslim and you have to make a trip to Mecca, pilgrimage, Like all Muslims are supposed to do at least once in their life that is in that file so that suddenly makes you a terror suspect do to religious beliefs. It is an unwarranted invasion of our privacy period.

As far as the religion crap I believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster myself since Ma Nature gave me a brain to understand the world around me without having to chuck the unknown to some unseen but all seeing Deity ruling over me

[MaryCeleste]

4. How would where you have been be in the passport file

There is a lot of confusion of what information is collected. Hearing lots of stuff on all sides.

[pitohui]

6. you've never traveled, have you?

i don't see how there can be much confusion, your passport is scanned on re-entering the country, they know where you've been

the airline scans it for them when exiting the country

it's pretty basic stuff, anyone who is telling you that customs doesn't know when and where you exited and entered the country is pulling your leg, you have to report where you went on re-entry on a form plus they scan your passport presumably to verify the person turning in the form which lists all the countries you visited on your trip and what you bought there -- is you

[MaryCeleste]

8. I've had a passport and been traveling since the 60s

what you are saying is within the last 5 years mostly. What about all the prior travel.

You are aware that Customs was under Treasury not State? How long do you think it would take to process all that information into computers on a daily basis?

Its also not clear if that information goes to the passport files that were accessed. There is a lot of stuff being asserted about what is there and what is not. Some are claiming all travel details, others are saying only applications etc with supporting documents. Be nice to get some solid information

[dflprincess]

11. In addition to your travel information

there's your ssn, mother's maiden name and I think the application even asks for your parents' places of birth. Everything and more someone would need for identity theft could come off the application. Which might be a more likely reason for someone to hack into the average person's records.

[MaryCeleste]

3. Minor nit pick: Wouldn't sitting senators have a red or black passport, not a blue one?

Blue: Personal
Red: US Gov Official
Black: US Diplomatic

[sce56]

7. Ok so it is minor to some to others it is major I know of three people that are on the watch list

only due to their politics they are not terrorist affiliated unless you belive in speaking out agianst US policy is a cause for labling you a terrorist. And one is a sitting Vice President on the Governors board of the State Bar!

As for color I have had three Blue ones and two Red ones.

[MaryCeleste]

9. I am actually curious to know what color member of the Legislative branch travel on

[lonestarnot]

5. Didn't postal employees also have access to this data base when they were doing passports

at the local postal service? Hmmmmf.

[MaryCeleste]

10. Maybe entry, they don't issue them there as I recall