Privacy Impact Assessment for the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program - DHS/TSA/PIA-041 - September 4, 2013

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn

Privacy Impact Assessment covers how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will conduct security threat assessments for individuals who apply for enrollment in the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program. The process collects personally identifiable information to support prescreening and, when approved, enables participants to receive expedited screening at participating airport checkpoints. The assessment is conducted under the EGovernment Act of 2002 and is designed to allow TSA to allocate limited security resources to passengers more likely to pose risk.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Overview

Trusted passenger program authority

Security threat assessment process

Databases and fingerprint checks

Sharing results with Secure Flight

Eligibility decision and notification

Privacy Impact Assessment for the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program DHS/TSA/PIA-041 September 4, 2013 Contact Point Hao-Y Froemling Transportation Security Administration Office of Intelligence & Analysis [Haoy.Froemling@tsa.dhs.gov](Haoy.Froemling@tsa.dhs.gov) Reviewing Official Jonathan R. Cantor Acting Chief Privacy Officer Department of Homeland Security (202) 343-1717 Abstract The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will conduct security threat assessments on individuals who apply to TSA for enrollment into the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program. TSA Pre􀀹™ Application Program participants are eligible to receive expedited screening at participating airport security checkpoints. TSA is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) pursuant to the EGovernment Act of 2002 because personally identifiable information (PII) will be collected for the conduct of the security threat assessment. Overview TSA Pre􀀳™ is a passenger prescreening initiative that identifies low risk passengers who are eligible to receive expedited screening at participating U. S. airport security checkpoints. 1 TSA Pre􀀳™ enhances aviation security by permitting TSA to better focus its limited security resources on passengers who are more likely to pose a threat to civil aviation, while also facilitating and improving the commercial aviation travel experience for the public. TSA is implementing the TSA Pre􀀹™ Application Program pursuant to its authority under Section 109(a)(3) of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Pub. L. 107-71 (115 Stat. 597, 613, Nov. 19, 2001, codified at 49 U.S.C. § 114 note) . That section authorizes TSA to “[e]stablish requirements to implement trusted passenger programs and use available technologies to expedite security screening of passengers who participate in such programs, thereby allowing security screening personnel to focus on those passengers who should be subject to more extensive screening.” By way of background, TSA has provided, or expects to provide, expedited screening to several populations participating in TSA Pre􀀹™, including such groups as U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry and NEXUS,2 certain frequent flyers,3 members of the U. S. Armed Forces, certain holders of federal security clearances, Members of Congress, Federal judges, Medal of Honor recipients, and other populations for whom TSA has performed a security threat assessment, such as certain 1 Passengers who are eligible for expedited screening through a dedicated TSA Pre✓™ lane typically will receive more limited physical screening, e.g., will be able to leave on their shoes, light outerwear, and belt, to keep their laptop in its case, and to keep their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on. TSA Pre✓™ lanes are available at 40 airports nationwide, with additional expansion planned. See TSA Pre✓™ Now Available at 40 Airports Nationwide: Expedited Screening Begins at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, [http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2013/03/28/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2-now-available-40-airports](http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2013/03/28/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2-now-available-40-airports)nationwide-expedited-screening-begins. 2 For additional information about CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, please see DHS/CBP/PIA-002 – Global Enrollment System (GES), (January 10, 2013), available at [http://www.dhs.gov/privacy-documents-us-customs](http://www.dhs.gov/privacy-documents-us-customs)and-border-protection. 3 Certain frequent travelers from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and certain members ofCBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), and NEXUS who are U.S. citizens are eligible for expedited screening when they are booked on a participating airline. See TSA Pre􀀹™ Expedited Screening, available at [http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84

FAQs

What is the purpose of the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program security threat assessment?

TSA will conduct security threat assessments on individuals who apply for enrollment so TSA can identify whether the individual poses a sufficiently low risk to transportation or national security to receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN).

What personal information is collected during the assessment?

The assessment includes checks against law enforcement, immigration, and intelligence databases, including a fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC). If approved, the individual’s name, date of birth, gender, and KTN are provided to the Secure Flight system.

How does TSA use the results of the assessment?

TSA uses the assessment results to decide whether an applicant is eligible to be issued a KTN for expedited screening. TSA also indicates it will notify individuals denied eligibility in writing and provide only limited approval-related data to Secure Flight.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn