The IRS accessed a massive database of Americans’ flights without a warrant, according to a bipartisan group of lawmakers. The data includes detailed travel records, such as when and where specific individuals flew, and the credit cards used for bookings. The lawmakers criticized the IRS for not following federal laws and its own policies when purchasing this information from the data broker, Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), which is co-owned by major airlines including Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest. The letter, shared with 404 Media, states that the IRS did not conduct a legal review to determine if a warrant was required for the purchase of this data.
The lawmakers have urged the airlines to shut down the data-selling program, as the current system allows government agencies to access private data without legal oversight. The IRS case is cited as the clearest example yet of how agencies are using this commercial data to conduct surveillance without a warrant, court order, or similar legal mechanisms. In response, the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) announced that it already planned to shut down the program, according to an update following the publication of the report. The lawmakers highlighted the need for stricter regulatory measures to protect citizens’ privacy and prevent the misuse of personal data by government entities.
The controversy has sparked broader debates about data privacy and government surveillance. Critics argue that the sale of travel data by private companies to government agencies undermines constitutional protections and raises serious concerns about the abuse of power. Privacy advocates have called for a complete reevaluation of how data is collected, stored, and shared, emphasizing the need for transparency and legal accountability. As the debate continues, the issue of data security and privacy remains a significant challenge for both private companies and public institutions.