Have you caught a flight recently and noticed a TSA agent standing next to an iPad that points left or right to direct passengers which security lane to go through? It’s basically a random number generator used for low-risk travelers designed so that no one can predict which passengers will get extra screening, and many in the tech industry are having a good laugh at the expense and use of the project.
According to Geek.com, these apps are one of the most simple and basic programming functions a coder learns, similar to a 100 level course for college freshman. That’s why it’s so astonishing that the TSA blew a total of $1.4 million of hard working American’s tax dollars on the project, which was $336,413.59 just on the app development alone, completed by IBM. Similar software is available for free, but could also be developed securely by many companies for a few thousand dollars according to the report.
It’s not known where the other $1 million for the program went to, but it’s likely training and possibly hardware was involved, which is still a ridiculous amount for an app that tells people to go left or right.
The information was brought to light by a Freedom of Information Act request by Kevin Burke.
Also, as described by a TSA agent in the video above, if the lines get too long, they don’t even use it.
That’s your federal government, hard at work ladies and gentlemen.
Police need an app to remind them of the constitution and what they work for…people and rights.
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