FlightAware Inc.

Houston, United States

FlightAware is a flight tracking software company that provides real-time global flight information. The service is used by airlines, airports, private pilots, and aviation enthusiasts for tracking flights, analyzing historical data, and managing operational logistics.

CCI Score

-25.77

0.02% April 18

Latest Event

FlightAware Data Breach and Class Action Lawsuit

FlightAware is facing a proposed federal class action lawsuit over a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information obtained through scraping non-public sources, reflecting a failure to protect consumer data.

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ACCOMPLICE

FlightAware Inc. is currently rated as an Accomplice.

-20 to -29 CCI Score

These companies profit from authoritarian practices through their business dealings. Although they may not be directly enforcing oppressive policies, their actions contribute to the economic and operational sustenance of authoritarian regimes.

Latest Events

AUG

27

2024

FlightAware Data Breach and Class Action Lawsuit
-46.89

FlightAware is facing a proposed federal class action lawsuit over a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information obtained through scraping non-public sources, reflecting a failure to protect consumer data.
-50

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 29

FlightAware's failure to secure scraped personal data, leading to exposure of sensitive consumer information such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and financial details, exemplifies unethical business practices. This negligence compromises consumer privacy and accountability, aligning with concerns under 'Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility' in the context of corporate complicity in harmful practices.

FlightAware Hit With Class Action Over Breach of 'Scraped' Data
JUL

25

2024

Data Exposure from Configuration Error
-37.17

FlightAware Inc. acknowledged that a misconfiguration led to the exposure of sensitive customer information—including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and more. The company detected the error on July 25, 2024, revealing data dating back as far as January 2021.
-40

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 30

The configuration error resulted in the inadvertent exposure of highly sensitive personal data. This negligence in safeguarding customer information undermines the company’s commitment to ethical business practices and raises concerns over potential misuse of data, which could be exploited by authoritarian entities. Protecting customer privacy is vital for resisting coercive and authoritarian misuse of personal data.

FlightAware warns that some customers' info has been 'exposed including social security numbers'
JUL

25

2024

FlightAware Data Breach Exposes Sensitive User Data Over Years
-74.34

FlightAware has admitted that a configuration error exposed sensitive customer data—including user IDs, passwords, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and payment information—since January 1, 2021. The breach was discovered on July 25, 2024 and was disclosed via a security notice filed with California’s Attorney General’s office. In response, the company is requiring password resets and offering credit monitoring services.
-80

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 29

The prolonged leakage of sensitive customer data demonstrates a severe lapse in ethical business practices and responsibility. FlightAware’s failure to secure user information for over three years shows negligence in protecting customer privacy, an essential pillar for safeguarding against authoritarian exploitation of personal data.

Flight Aware admits to leaking sensitive user data for years | Cybernews
-80

Technology and Services Impact

March 29

The breach underscores significant shortcomings in FlightAware’s technological safeguards. By allowing sensitive data to be exposed due to a configuration error, the company not only endangers user privacy but also risks enabling unauthorized surveillance and misuse of personal data, which can be exploited by authoritarian entities.

Flight Aware admits to leaking sensitive user data for years | Cybernews
JUL

25

2024

Data Security Incident Exposes User Information at FlightAware
-41.82

FlightAware experienced a data security incident on July 25, 2024, due to a configuration error that may have exposed personal information for over 10,000 aircraft operators and more than 13 million users. The breach involved sensitive data such as user IDs, passwords, email addresses, and additional personal details. The company has since addressed the error and notified users to reset their passwords.
-60

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 30

The data security incident reflects a serious lapse in ethical business practices. FlightAware's configuration error led to the exposure of a wide array of personal and sensitive user data, undermining user trust and safety, and highlighting the company's failure to uphold robust cybersecurity measures.

Flight tracking service FlightAware warns users of ‘data security incident’
-30

Technology and Services Impact

March 30

The incident underscores a significant failure in technology and service management. A misconfigured system allowed sensitive flight tracking and user data to be exposed, thereby compromising user privacy and exposing the company to potential misuse of personal information.

Flight tracking service FlightAware warns users of ‘data security incident’
OCT

01

2023

FlightAware Enables Secure Government Flight Surveillance
-34.26

FlightAware has launched a service that integrates secure government flight surveillance data feeds into its platform, providing a unified and secure view exclusively for a Department of Defense customer via on-premise or leased-line deployments.
-40

Provision of Repressive Technologies

March 29

By integrating secure government flight surveillance data feeds and offering tailored on-premise deployment options, FlightAware is providing technology that bolsters state surveillance capabilities. From an anti-fascist perspective, such systems can empower authoritarian control over data and monitoring, raising concerns about the potential misuse of surveillance tools.

FlightAware for US Government
JAN

01

2021

FlightAware Data Breach Exposes User Information Over Years
-39.04

FlightAware admitted that due to a configuration error, user data—including sensitive personal details such as passwords, addresses, and even partially formatted SSNs—was exposed from January 1, 2021, until the breach was detected on July 25, 2024. The company has since taken remedial measures including mandatory password resets and offering two years of credit monitoring via Equifax.
-60

Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility

March 29

FlightAware’s prolonged data exposure—lasting over three years—demonstrates a serious lapse in securing user data. The breach compromised highly sensitive user information, revealing poor ethical responsibility and business practices. Such negligence in protecting customer privacy can undermine trust and may indirectly contribute to a weakening of individual rights, an area of concern in the broader struggle against authoritarian approaches to data governance.

Plane tracker FlightAware admits user data exposed for years
NOV

02

2012

FlightAware Clarifies Political Advertising Policy
4.31

In response to user criticism alleging that FlightAware was supporting political advertising for the Democratic President on its front page, the company clarified that its website features political ads supplied by third-party networks on various pages, and that it does not endorse any candidate or ballot measure.
+15

Public and Political Behavior

March 29

FlightAware's statement clarifies its politically neutral stance by acknowledging that while political ads might appear on some pages via third-party ad networks, the company itself does not endorse any candidate. This transparency in political behavior is a positive signal from a public accountability perspective.
NOV

02

2012

FlightAware Clarifies Political Advertising Policy
5.75

In a discussion thread on November 2, 2012, FlightAware addressed concerns regarding the appearance of political ads on its website. The company clarified that while some networks providing political advertisements may operate on other pages, FlightAware itself does not endorse any candidate or ballot measure.
+20

Public and Political Behavior

March 30

FlightAware’s clarification on its political advertising policy reflects a commitment to neutrality and transparency. By stating that they do not endorse any candidate and merely host ads provided by third-party networks, the company avoids direct political bias. This approach supports anti-authoritarian values by preventing the consolidation of partisan influence on their platform.

Flight aware going political? - General - FlightAware Discussions
NOV

02

2012

FlightAware Clarifies Political Advertising Policy
2.87

In a 2012 forum discussion, FlightAware responded to concerns about political advertising on its platform by explaining that while some network pages may display political ads, the company does not endorse any candidate or ballot measure, thereby maintaining a stance of political neutrality.
+10

Public and Political Behavior

March 30

FlightAware’s response to political advertising concerns shows an effort to remain neutral by clarifying that they allow political ads without endorsing any candidate. This stance supports democratic engagement and avoids aligning with authoritarian or partisan extremes, earning a moderate positive score in Public and Political Behavior.

Flight aware going political? - General - FlightAware Discussions
NOV

02

2012

FlightAware Clarifies Stance on Political Advertising
2.87

FlightAware addressed concerns on its discussion forum, explaining that while political advertisements may be served on certain pages via third-party networks, the company does not endorse any candidate or ballot measure, thereby maintaining a stance of political neutrality.
+10

Public and Political Behavior

March 29

FlightAware clarified that although its site may include political ads provided by external networks, it does not officially endorse any political candidate or ballot measure. This commitment to neutrality minimizes corporate entanglement in partisan politics, a practice that aligns with anti-authoritarian and progressive principles.

Flight aware going political? - General - FlightAware Discussions