ACLU Wants TSA to Come Clean about Cell Phone Searches

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Monday that claims the TSA must document when, how and why officials search the cellphones and electronic devices of domestic air travelers in the United States.

According to NBC News, the ACLU originally filed a request in December under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the data officers were looking when searching electronic devices and the equipment being used to collect the information.

The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco’s U.S. District Court and claims TSA officials failed to respond to the ACLU’s request, prompting the decision to move the case forward.

ACLU Northern California staff attorney Vasudha Talla told NBC News about the lawsuit.

“TSA is searching the electronic devices of domestic passengers, but without offering any reason for the search,” Talla said. “We don't know why the government is singling out some passengers, and we don't know what exactly TSA is searching on the devices.”

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Reports last year from NBC News suggested U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were searching an alarmingly high number of cell phones, and the ACLU claims the number of domestic travelers being searched has increased year after year.

While Homeland Security officials have remained transparent about its enhanced screening of electronic devices from passengers on international flights, the ACLU lawsuit claims the way the agency handles the search of cell phones owned by domestic flyers is “shrouded in secrecy.”

ACLU officials want the release of records from the TSA field office in San Francisco, as well as information regarding policies, technology, training techniques and more.