U.S. Airlines Sold 5 Billion Passenger Records To The Government To Track Your Travel Without A Warrant [Roundup]

Posted by leftfieldmagazine.com 15 September 2025
U.S. Airlines Sold 5 Billion Passenger Records To The Government To Track Your Travel Without A Warrant [Roundup]


U.S. Airlines Sold 5 Billion Passenger Records To The Government To Track Your Travel Without A Warrant [Roundup]

by Gary Leff


News and notes from around the interweb:

  • In June I wrote that a consortium of airlines was selling your reservations data to the government and it turns out the practice is even more extensive than realized: 5 billion ticketing records available for searching and more agencies with access – ICE, CBP, ATF, SEC, TSA, State Department, U.S. Marshals, IRS and FBI. ARC registered as a data broker in California because they’d been acting outside of state law.

    A data broker owned by the country’s major airlines, including American Airlines, United, and Delta, is selling access to five billion plane ticketing records to the government for warrantless searching and monitoring of peoples’ movements..ARC has previously told the government to not reveal to the public where this passenger data came from, which includes peoples’ names, full flight itineraries, and financial details.

  • Jeffrey Eisenberg, a former managing director of operations for strategy and performance at United Airlines, has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against United Airlines alleging retaliation and wrongful termination after raising concerns about corruption (conflict of interest with a vendor) and safety violations (retiring key software without replacing it, safety risk assessment issues, non-compliance with FAA flight attendant staffing rules).

    In the small world department, I worked with Eisenberg 23 years ago in a role completely unrelated to airlines and travel. I knew he left for US Airways, but don’t think I knew where he went after that.

  • Qatar Airways will give up to 40% bonus on transfers from Citi through October 15. The bonus will post by November 30. That’s actually a little tempting.
  • Marriott’s new partnership with Lufthansa Miles & More gives Bonvoy Gold to Senator and HON Circle members.

    Meanwhile, Marriott stays earn 40 Miles & More status points apiece, up to 120 status points per calendar year. Better than a hole in the head (a loch in kop), as my grandfather used to say!

  • American and Delta suspended employees over vile social media posts following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. United has done so as well. I don’t love this, and especially don’t like the government’s involvement here, outside of pilots where fitness to fly issues may be involved.
  • TIL:

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