TSA to Block "Controversial Opinion" on the Web

By: Pia Malbran
Topics: News

CBS News

**Updated Blog 8:20 pm, 7/6/10: TSA Reverses "Controversial Opinion" Web Policy

**Updated 7/6/10 with TSA response. Read the blog here.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is blocking certain websites from the federal agency's computers, including halting access by staffers to any Internet pages that contain a "controversial opinion," according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.

The email was sent to all TSA employees from the Office of Information Technology on Friday afternoon.

It states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed "inappropriate for government access."

The categories include:

??? Chat/Messaging

??? Controversial opinion

??? Criminal activity

??? Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content

??? Gaming

The email does not specify how the TSA will determine if a website expresses a "controversial opinion."

There is also no explanation as to why controversial opinions are being blocked, although the email stated that some of the restricted websites violate the Employee Responsibilities and Conduct policy.

The TSA did not return calls seeking comment by publication time.

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by Nicollepetersen September 28, 2010 12:17 PM EDT: Whether an application is blocked or not, self-control comes from within

Ive been using http://******/bJwmma .
It uses a better procedure than blocking social media sites because it only monitors sites like Twitter during production hours. People/Employees still have the option to use it for a breather or during breaks .
Sometimes they use it for work too in helping reach decisions. For me its really unnecessary to block Twitter.; Reply to this comment


by powerpuffpuff September 28, 2010 11:04 AM EDT: This software program <a href="http://www.timedoctor.com/1">Time Doctor</a> is more effective than blocking websites as it only monitors websites during work hours. So team members still can use websites during breaks. Plus some people might need to websites for work so it's silly to block it.; Reply to this comment


by SDSOFFICE July 10, 2010 9:24 PM EDT: Keep your powder dry. These TSA folks mean business. It is past time for individuals to do small but significant political and social actions. Keep it up close and personal but keep it legal for now. The oppression will get worse proportional to the amount of disgust engendered in the middle class. The fact that TSA is willing to censor the web openly is an indicator that the feds are ready to move into a higher gear.; Reply to this comment


by livewiremd July 7, 2010 5:16 PM EDT: Too bad we can't hurry up and pass an ammendment limiting a President's term to TWO years.; Reply to this comment


by Hobo1956 July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT: 10% Unemployment!! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
12 Trillion in debt and growing faster than ever! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! (chant with me son)
Worst environmental catastrophe in history! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Most partisan and divided DC in the last 50 years! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Big Bank Bailouts for CEO'S and Executives! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Big GM Bailouts, Billions of your $$$!! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Barry enjoys opulent Whitehouse parties and private concerts, while millions are unemployed! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Barry has already played twice as much golf as Bush did in his entire 8 years. 7 rounds since the oil spill alone! :D O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
States are nearing bankruptcy with no relief in sight. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Higher Taxes! WOo HOO! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
2000 Page Health Care Behemoth Rammed Down America! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Backroom deals, lobbyists, "insider" benefits for those in-the-know! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Bowing to world leaders, apologizing for America! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Failing to close Gitmo. Yea baby, Gitmo is open for business haha. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Warmongering in the middle east, no one is coming home, people die daily! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Bomb attempt in NYC, Bomb attempt on Aircraft- all would have succeeded had the muslim terrorists been more intelligent on bomb-making! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Major Hasaan, radical Muslim. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
People Acting "Stupidly"..lets have a beer summit! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Abandon Israel. Refuse to acknowledge radical Islam. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Taking more of your money, and giving it to pot smoking drop outs. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Refuse to support Arizona. Coddle illegal immigrants. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Extend unemployment past 99 weeks, its good for the economy and creates jobs (lmao) O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Pass health care NOW! Its a CRISIS! Millions more jobs will be lost if we don't act NOW! (lol) O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Goodnews America! We are only at 10% unemployment, just think, without my great leadership, we would be at 13%. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
Barry eating Wagyu fillets (who do you know that eats Wagyu?) while millions cannot afford food on the table. O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!

Barry: "Joe, can you get me another fillet of Wagyu?"
Joe: "Of course Barack. And for dinner tonight, after your golf game, we have more Wagyu."
Barry: "Delicious."; Reply to this comment


by ElCidCampeador001 July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT: It seems to me that they will block some of the blogs that do not follow their way of thought but will let the liberal ones come through.; Reply to this comment

by ErnieDavidson28715 July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT

As a network administrator, this is a common practice. Employees are getting paid to work, not surf the Web all day. And it's our tax dollars that they're getting paid with so ... Just ironic they didn't block porn sites.

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by ssol4569 July 10, 2010 8:59 AM EDT: Right on the money Ernie --


by CommieGuy July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT: Commies Rule!!!
Horray for Comrade Secretary Janet!!!; Reply to this comment


by Reality_Chk July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT: The policy does NOT ban non-work related web searching on government computers.

Either this policy applies to only work related web searches because non-work related are already banned, or,

This policy expressly allows personal web searches on government computers and puts censorship limits on those personal uses.

Either way, blocking access either makes the country more dangerous because security officials are being blocked from doing their job, or,

Or, this is all about censorship when being officially allowed to use government computers for personal use.; Reply to this comment


by ChuckShire July 7, 2010 5:15 PM EDT: Let me guess; would one of these sites be Fox News? And also let me guess; Would CNN be a second "Home" page for TSA?; Reply to this comment