Privacy concerns raised over TSA monitoring of books
Air travelers may soon have to disclose all their reading material when passing through security checkpoints.
This includes paperback novels, magazines and even business documents, and is already being tested at some airports around the country.
Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told Fox News last month it would ‘likely’ expand nationwide.
Airports in Los Angeles, Boise, Colorado Springs, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Boston Logan, Lubbock, Munoz Marin in Puerto Rico, Las Vegas McCarran and Phoenix Sky Harbour began the new security screening measures last month.
All paper items and food have to be removed from carry-on bags and screened separately.
The reasoning behind this is because passengers nowadays tend to stuff as much into carry-on bags as possible to avoid checked bag fees.
"The reason we’ve done that is because of people trying to avoid the $25 or $50 or whatever it is to check a bag are now stuffing carry-on bags," Kelly said.
"What we’re doing now is working out the tactics, techniques and procedures, in a few airports, to find out exactly how to do that with the least amount of inconvenience to the traveler."
The new policy shift has sparked privacy concerns with the American Civil Liberties Union.
"Given the sensitivity of our reading choices, this raises privacy concerns," said analyst for the ACLU.
"Someone reading Arab or Muslim literature in today’s environment has all too much cause to worry about discrimination."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements