article_snippet.sent: Chris Roberts, a computer security researcher on Chris Roberts way to give a talk about computer security vulnerabilities at a major conference was told Chris Roberts couldn't fly on United Airlines Saturday, due to comments Chris Roberts'd made on Twitter .
article_snippet.sent: United Airlines stopped a prominent security researcher from boarding a California-bound flight late Saturday, following a social media post by the researcher days earlier suggesting the airline's onboard systems could be hacked.
article_snippet.sent: The researcher, Chris Roberts, attempted to board a United flight from Colorado to San Francisco to speak at a major security conference there this week, but was stopped by the airline's corporate security at the gate.
article_snippet.sent: A lawyer for Roberts said United gave Roberts no detailed explanation on Saturday why Roberts wasn't allowed on the plane, saying instead the airline would be sending Roberts a letter within two weeks stating why the airline wouldn't let Roberts fly on the airline aircraft. '
article_snippet.sent: Given Roberts claims regarding manipulating aircraft systems, we've decided it's in the best interest of we customers and crew members that Roberts not be allowed to fly United,' airline spokesman Rahsaan Johnson told The Associated Press. '
article_snippet.sent: When asked what threat Roberts posed if United's systems couldn't be compromised, airline spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said Sunday: 'The Associated Press made this decision because Roberts has made comments about having tampered with aircraft equipment, which is a violation of United policy and something customers and crews shouldn't have to deal with.'
article_snippet.sent: Grounded: United made the decision not to allow Roberts to fly on United 'because Roberts had made public statements about having manipulated airfare equipment and aircraft systems'.
article_snippet.sent: It is disappointing that United refused to allow Roberts to board, and we hope that United learns that computer security researchers are a vital ally, not a threat,' said Nate Cardozo, a staff attorney with the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, which represents Roberts.
article_snippet.sent: United isn't happy about Roberts being on United planes will no longer allow Roberts to fly on United aircraft .