Multiple senators speak out about BARR reversal
July 5, 2011, 02:17 pm
In an effort to stop the dismantling of the Block Aircraft Registration Request program, more than 20 senators sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The senators claim that lifting these privacy protections sets a dangerous precedent, which could lead to an increase in pilots life insurance claims.
The letter goes on to suggest that new limits on the use of the BARR infringe on privacy rights of thousands of Americans. The BARR program allows aviation owners and operators the right to opt out of having commercial flight-tracking services broadcast their aircrafts' movements to third-parties.
The DOT has claimed that changes to the policy are in order to support an open and transparent government process. Going on to say that the airways belong to the American people and they have a right to know who is traveling through the sky. The senators disagree with this claim.
"Transparency has everything to do citizens being able to see how the government carries out its business, not the other way around," Senator Pat Roberts said. "I doubt any Kansan would associate allowing strangers to stalk the movements of private individuals as transparency."
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