Sabre slams “highly speculative” media report alleging company is helping FBI spy on travellers

Close up of Asian women with hi tech digital technology screen over the eye.

Sabre has rubbished a recent news story claiming the company is working with the US government to spy on travellers, and could potentially use its data to track COVID-19.

According to an article published by Forbes earlier this month, Sabre has been called upon by the US government to provide travellers’ data and even track a suspect in real time on at least one occasion.

“Sabre can be compelled to proactively watch and report on a persons’ whereabouts as soon as they start travelling,” the article reads.

“In an order from December 2019, feds asked Sabre to provide the FBI with ‘real-time’ updates on the travel activities of a hacking suspect, an Indian fugitive called Deepanshu Kher.

“Sabre was told to provide ‘complete and contemporaneous real-time account activity information of the traveller [Kher] on a weekly basis’ for six months. Sabre would provide ‘any travel orders, transactions or reservations’ for the suspect.”

Forbes claims the order is one of at least four where Sabre agreed to provide such traveller information.

The news outlet also speculated that the travel tech company could also end up using its vast amount of data to help track and eradicate the coronavirus.

“The same data tap that’s been turned on by the FBI could prove a boon for the US government in surveilling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a constant and accurate record of the movements of global populations,” the article states.

In a statement issued yesterday, Sabre said it has received a number of inquiries related to the “highly speculative” story and wanted to “clear up misconceptions” reflected in Forbes’ article.

“First, Sabre has not been asked to participate in any projects related to COVID-19 tracking or tracking of populations as suggested in the article,” the company said.

“Second, Sabre, as with all companies, responds to lawful process according to applicable law. Sabre closely examines any requests and only complies with court orders, subpoenas or other requests that are legally valid.

“The article may leave the perception that Sabre receives a large number of such requests. This is wholly inaccurate.”


Featured image source: iStock/kontekbrothers

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]