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May 02, 2012

New App Confronts TSA, Airline Discrimination

By Julie Griffin, Contributing Writer

Although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) claims they do not discriminate against age, race, sex or gender, The Sikh Coalition disagrees, launching an application available for iPhones or Androids to prove otherwise.

FlyRights.org allows users to download an app providing “a quick and easy way to report complaints of air travel discrimination in real time, right after the incident occurs.” Airline entertainment may be scarce, but it shouldn't come at the expense of other people's dignity.



Many Sikh passengers believe they have been the target of discrimination based on their turbans. Although the TSA denies these allegations, many Sikhs have suffered from additional body scans and pat downs over non-turban wearing passengers.

The phone application isn’t just for Sikhs, however. Blacks, Latinos, Muslims and women are also encouraged to download the app in order to contribute to the ugly war on airport discrimination. The TSA reports that only 11 complaints of improper screening occurred in the beginning of 2011, but with the assistance of this new phone app, perhaps other inappropriate measures will come to light. Spokespersons from various parties have given statements about this event.

"I remember the frustration and the pain of that experience,” said Prabhjit Singh of Maryland. “It's not offensive if it's warranted. The problem is that it's not been warranted.”

"TSA's diverse workforce is committed to treating each traveler with dignity and respect throughout the screening process,” argued Sterling Payne of TSA. “[The organization] does not profile passengers on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion."

Using technology to get even has become an emerging trend in recent months. Gripevine.com was initiated as way for customers to publicize their complaints over bad customer service. After musician Dave Carroll launched his Youtube sensation, “United Breaks Guitars,” he established Gripevine for everybody to maximize complaining via social media.

In addition, an attorney named Jonathan Broder developed The Debtor List, after his exasperation over trying to collect money from clients who owe him. The Debtor List is a way for small businesses to publish debts that may be too small to justify the costs of litigation.

Privacyscore lastly developed an app on Facebook (News - Alert) that allows customers to rate an app’s level of security from 0-100. Privacyscore empowers customers by enabling them to reveal to other customers the level of browser snooping and other privacy breeches before they choose to download the app. 




Edited by Braden Becker
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