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Delta CAPPS-2 watch: decrypt boarding passes!
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2003 05:43:03 -0500
I asked Johns concent to send this and he added: You can add that San Jose has been identified as one of the Delta CAPPS-2 cities (by the Oakland Tribune). John ------ Forwarded Message From: John Gilmore <gnu () toad com> Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2003 00:19:34 -0800 To: cryptography () wasabisystems com, gnu () new toad com Subject: Delta CAPPS-2 watch: decrypt boarding passes! Delta Air Lines is the guinea pig for the CAPPS-2 intrusive database search on every passenger. They'll be doing this in three cities, starting THIS MONTH. First, if you were thinking of flying, be sure not to fly on Delta. See http://boycottdelta.org. Second, if you're stuck on Delta, or want to watch their system, then please report back (to me, gnu () delta toad com, or to the cryptography list) about how the airport checkin and screening process has changed. We should be able to rapidly figure out which cities they are doing this in, based on the airline's behavior changes. For example, some stories say that the system will require more info from you, like your home address and date of birth. Other stories say that no new info is collected. One has pointed out that Delta's frequent flyer program has collected birthdate info for years. I suggest flying WITHOUT tying your flight into the frequent flyer database. Also, most news stories claim that your boarding pass will have "encrypted" on it a "red/yellow/green" flag that tells the security screeners whether to: * Block you from getting on the flight * Search the hell out of you * Let you walk through with minimal hassle The stories report that the security screeners at the checkpoint might have new machines to run your boarding pass through (to "decrypt" this info). This could all be disinformation. If true, it should be easy to spot, particularly if you've flown through these airports before. And, besides identifying what cities they're doing this in, we should also start examining a collection of these boarding passes, looking for the encrypted "let me through without searching me" information. Or the "Don't let me fly" information. Then we can evaluate how easy it would be to turn one into another. (Don't mistake a system that claims to provide security for one that actually does.) I'll restate just for the record that I oppose this entire program, as well as the unconstitutional demand for ID before traveling in the US. I'm suing Ashcroft, TSA, and Homeland Security over it. We're currently awaiting Judge Illston's decision on the government's motion to dismiss the case as frivolous. (How many of you who thought it was frivolous eight months ago, still think it is?) http://cryptome.org/freetotravel.htm John ------ End of Forwarded Message ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- Delta CAPPS-2 watch: decrypt boarding passes! Dave Farber (Mar 07)