“In designing its existing network, Gogo worked closely with
law enforcement to incorporate functionalities and protections
that would serve public safety and national security
interests,” Gogo attorney Karis Hastings wrote in the leaked
letter, which dates from 2012. He did not elaborate as to the
nature of the changes, but said Gogo “worked with federal
agencies to reach agreement regarding a set of additional
capabilities to accommodate law enforcement interests.”
Gogo, which provides WiFi services to the biggest US airlines,
are not the only ones to adapt their services to enable spying.
Panasonic Avionics also added “additional functionality”
to their services as per an agreement with US law enforcement,
according to a report published in December.
The deals with security services have civil liberties
organizations up in arms. They have condemned the WiFi providers’
deals with authorities as scandalous.