http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/06/clear-plans
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ECCN
ECCN writes "Clear Plans to Sell Traveler Data
Wired writes:
Clear, the cut-to-the-front-of-the-airport-security-line company that closed without warning last Monday, is trying to sell its members' sensitive data to another registered traveler program, the company told its stranded members Friday in an email.
Clear was founded by entrepreneurial journalist Steven Brill in response to long airport lines and charged $200 a year to air travelers who got cards entitling them to special lanes at airport security.
Travelers had to give the company sensitive data, such social security numbers, fingerprints, credit card numbers and iris prints, for a background check, even though the program did not reduce the amount of screening an individual would see at the airport.
Clear closed on June 22, leaving some 250,000 members wondering what would happen to their data and money. Clear says no refunds will be issued due to the company's financial position. Clear had lanes in 20 of the nation's busiest airports, but failed to get enough members to justify staffing the lanes 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company says it shut down because it could not reach terms with its bank.
The data can only be used by another company offering such fast pass lanes, because of Transportation Security Administration rules, according to Clear. It says it is currently wiping other company hard drives and that its technology integrator, Lockheed Martin, was working to shut down airport lanes.
The company did not say how long it would attempt to sell the data before deciding to destroy it."
Wired writes:
Clear, the cut-to-the-front-of-the-airport-security-line company that closed without warning last Monday, is trying to sell its members' sensitive data to another registered traveler program, the company told its stranded members Friday in an email.
Clear was founded by entrepreneurial journalist Steven Brill in response to long airport lines and charged $200 a year to air travelers who got cards entitling them to special lanes at airport security.
Travelers had to give the company sensitive data, such social security numbers, fingerprints, credit card numbers and iris prints, for a background check, even though the program did not reduce the amount of screening an individual would see at the airport.
Clear closed on June 22, leaving some 250,000 members wondering what would happen to their data and money. Clear says no refunds will be issued due to the company's financial position. Clear had lanes in 20 of the nation's busiest airports, but failed to get enough members to justify staffing the lanes 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company says it shut down because it could not reach terms with its bank.
The data can only be used by another company offering such fast pass lanes, because of Transportation Security Administration rules, according to Clear. It says it is currently wiping other company hard drives and that its technology integrator, Lockheed Martin, was working to shut down airport lanes.
The company did not say how long it would attempt to sell the data before deciding to destroy it."