Lawmakers Demand GAO Probe Into Airline Privacy Failures

Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Shontel Brown have requested that the Government Accountability Office investigate the U.S. Department of Transportation for a systemic failure to enforce airline passenger privacy rules. The lawmakers allege the department has not brought a single enforcement case regarding passenger data in more than 40 years, leaving millions of Americans exposed to corporate exploitation and warrantless government surveillance.

The request cites specific instances of data misuse, including the Airline Reporting Corporation selling 722 million travel records to federal agencies without court oversight. The lawmakers also pointed to a 2016 audit revealing that the Drug Enforcement Administration paid airline employees for private data.

Additionally, the request questions whether a 2024 review initiated by former Secretary Pete Buttigieg ever actually occurred or produced meaningful results. The Government Accountability Office has confirmed receipt of the request and is currently determining its response.