The Airlines Reporting Corporation has ended the Travel Intelligence Program after scrutiny showed it allowed warrantless access to hundreds of millions of flight records. Other notable developments this week include legal action by major platforms against Virginia's app-time law, a hacker ordered to return over $5 million in bitcoin, and congressional probes into merger-related allegations. Additional items cover growing use of AI in religious settings, a partial reversal of public broadcasting cuts, protections for children on gaming platforms, new searchable document archives, and controversy over an AI-generated campaign video.
Airlines Shut Secret Program That Gave Warrantless Access to Hundreds of Millions of Flight Records
The Airlines Reporting Corporation has ended the Travel Intelligence Program after scrutiny showed it allowed warrantless access to hundreds of millions of flight records. Other notable developments this week include legal action by major platforms against Virginia's app-time law, a hacker ordered to return over $5 million in bitcoin, and congressional probes into merger-related allegations. Additional items cover growing use of AI in religious settings, a partial reversal of public broadcasting cuts, protections for children on gaming platforms, new searchable document archives, and controversy over an AI-generated campaign video.
07:34 AM, 11/19/2025Security
A previously little-known program that allowed federal authorities to access hundreds of millions of passenger flight records without warrants has been shut down. The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) informed members of Congress in a letter that the Travel Intelligence Program (TIP) "is no longer aligned with ARC’s core goals of serving the travel industry." The decision followed media scrutiny and concern from lawmakers about privacy and oversight.
Key tech and policy developments
Virginia app-time law challenged: A coalition of major social platforms is suing to block a new Virginia law that would limit app usage for users under 16 to one hour unless parents opt in.
Bitcoin restitution ordered: A British hacker who breached a high-profile Twitter account in 2020 was ordered to return more than $5 million in bitcoin obtained during the intrusion.
Congressional inquiry: House Democrats accuse Paramount Skydance of stonewalling an investigation into alleged bribery connected to a merger approved during the prior administration; lawmakers are seeking documents and testimony.
AI in religious settings: Reports show some churches are experimenting with artificial intelligence, including chatbots that simulate theological figures. Clergy and ethicists have raised questions about pastoral appropriateness and potential harms.
Public broadcasting reversal: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting reversed some cuts to public media services after legal pressure, resolving a dispute related to funding and distribution arrangements.
Safer spaces for children: Facing lawsuits and public pressure over alleged predatory behavior, a major online gaming platform announced new restrictions to limit communications between children and older teens or adults.
Document access: Following the public release of thousands of emails from a private estate, multiple outlets launched searchable databases to help the public and researchers navigate the documents.
AI in politics: A political campaign faced backlash after using an AI-generated video that falsely depicted a candidate making comments about a government shutdown vote.
Why it matters: The TIP shutdown highlights ongoing tensions between data-sharing practices and privacy rights, while the week's other stories reflect broader debates over AI, platform responsibility, media funding, and political disinformation.