JetBlue scenario develops
It seems there is more to the JetBlue/CAPPS II situation than I or even the people suggesting the boycott are aware of. Someone must have figured it out though, because I got the CEO sent out this very interesting form letter;
Dear Mr. Stimson,
Thank you for writing to me so that I have an opportunity to apologize
to you personally and set the record straight.
Most importantly, JetBlue has never supplied, nor will supply,
customer information to the Transportation Security Administration, or
any government agency, unless we are required to do so by law — not
for CAPPS II or for any other purposes, whatsoever.
However, I regret that, more than a year ago, we responded to an
exceptional request from the Department of Defense to assist their
contractor, Torch Concepts, with a project regarding military base
security. This project had no connection with aviation security or
the CAPPS II program and no data files were ever shared with the
Department of Defense or any other government agency or contractor.
We provided limited historical customer data including names,
addresses and phone numbers. It DID NOT include personal financial
information, credit card information, or social security numbers.
Torch further developed this information into a presentation, without
JetBlue’s knowledge, for a Department of Homeland Security symposium.
We regret that this presentation included the personal information of
one customer — although the customer’s name was not used. Again, we
had no knowledge of this presentation until two days ago and we were
deeply dismayed to learn of it.
The sole set of data in Torch’s possession has been destroyed; no
government agency ever had access to it. With Torch’s help, we are
continuing to make every effort to have the Torch presentation with
the one customer’s information removed from the internet.
This was a mistake on our part and I know you and many of our
customers feel betrayed by it. We deeply regret that this happened
and have taken steps to fix the situation and make sure that it never
happens again.
I am saddened that we have shaken your faith in JetBlue but I assure
you personally that we are committed to making this right.
Sincerely,
David Neeleman
Chief Executive Officer
Who knew?