Aug 1st, 2008
Posted by Suzanne Ito, ACLU at 4:07pm	Keep America Safe & Free, Technology and Liberty

Taser Bracelets? Really?

Earlier in the month, the Washington Times published a story about the EMD bracelet that the TSA supposedly expressed interest in deploying for every air traveler to wear. The pros to wearing this bracelet: speeding through security, as the bracelet would contain all of your flight info and personal information, and have GPS-like capability that would be able to track both you and your luggage. Nifty! Even more surveillance when you travel!

But the con is a mighty big one: EMD stands for "electro-muscular disruption." See, that bracelet would have the ability to immobilize a person for several minutes via a shock delivered by a flight attendant or air marshal. The reasoning behind this: if there's a hijacking situation onboard the plane, and the terrorist conveniently had not yet taken off the bracelet, the terrorist would be instantly immobilized via bracelet, his nefarious plan thwarted. Easy-breezy.

Now you're thinking: "Whaaat? They can't be serious." There is some dispute over whether the TSA was actually considering this. On the TSA blog, they flat-out deny it. But CBS insists they were, and points to two letters, authenticated by a TSA spokesman, from a TSA official to the bracelet's R&D firm, expressing interest in the bracelet.But is it really so far-fetched? The security agencies have already shown a complete willingness to wiretap our conversations, taking away our fundamental right to privacy, and thus controlling what we say. Physical control of Americans would be the next logical step.

In any case, as Jay Stanley of our Technology and Liberty Project puts it:

This bracelet idea is the logical culmination of the impulse behind many security policies, which is to place everyone under the complete control of the authorities. The bracelet concept is to control what the concept of "Big Brother" is to surveillance.

And here’s what former TSA employee and air marshal Jeffrey Denning told CBS when asked if he thought the TSA was really considering using the bracelets for all air passengers:

"At first I think "No!" Denning answered. "But then again I worked for three years for the TSA…and I've seen some outrageous things. So I wouldn't put it past them," Denning said.

Shocking, ain't it?

Permalink |	Keep America Safe & Free, Technology and Liberty

1. JimSpiel Says:
   Aug 3rd, 2008 at 4:06pm

   The links indicate the TSA was evaluating the shock feature to control criminals during air transport, not for the general public. I fly and believe my life to be constitutionally protected, and I would approve that usage.

   The TSA's response is reasonable, not a flat denial as claimed, and has aspects that are verifiable, though, disappointingly, no one reports taking the time to do so.

   Our rights are sometimes threatened, and certainly they need guarding. But ACLU has a tendency towards "awfulizing". Instead of crying "wolf", sometimes a better response is to take a deep breath, calm down, and do some research.

2. anti_fascist_freedom_fighter Says:
   Aug 3rd, 2008 at 6:12pm

   Here's a better idea. Give everyone who gets on a plane a 2-foot long, super sharp machete. Then if someone(such as an Al-Qaeda cell stewardess or a crazy US Marshall) tries to hijack the plane, all the passengers can stop them. Now that's democracy in action!

3. Ralph Says:
   Aug 3rd, 2008 at 6:20pm

   Excuse me, but what is wrong with the bracelet. If they can stop a terrorist or nut from taking over a plane, that would be a good thing. Or would the aclu prefer to have airlines do nothing to stop terrorists.

4. Robin Says:
   Aug 7th, 2008 at 3:34am

   The way those stupid bracelets work is that everyone in the signal area gets stunned... In practice it means that when that dick who's had had too much to drink starts getting rowdy, they hit the zap button and everyone in a five foot radius get tazed. Fun. Loads of fun.

   I wonder how much abuse people are willing to sign up for based on this hysterical fear of the bogeyman.

   "Please bend over sir. We need to place this security suppository in you for the duration of the trip. It's for your own safety. Failure to comply will mean you support terrorism."

5. NY1@IC.FBI.GOV Says:
   Sep 26th, 2008 at 2:21pm

   THE REAL ID ACT WILL PREVENT ID THEFT WITHIN NYC 1 BILLION DOLLARS PER YEARS LOST .