WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government has begun testing a computerized screening system that compares airline passengers' names with those on terrorist watch lists, a Transportation Security Administration official said Thursday.
Called "Secure Flight," it's meant to replace a plan that never got to the testing stage because of criticism that it gave the government access to too much personal information.
Testing of Secure Flight began November 30. No announcement was made; TSA spokesman Justin Oberman disclosed its status when asked by The Associated Press.
The testing has not turned up any suspected terrorists. Oberman said the agency expects to wrap up the first phase of testing in a month.
"The technology is working, doing exactly what we wanted it to do," he said.