The Transportation Security Administration recently quietly began planning to deploy facial recognition technology at more than 400 U.S. airports, despite significant privacy concerns. new york post It was reported on Thursday.
A TSA spokesperson confirmed to the press that the agency is “in the early stages of implementing facial recognition capabilities at airport security checkpoints.”
Despite opposition to the plan from privacy experts and lawmakers, the TSA maintains that the credential verification technology, also known as a CAT-2 scanner, will enhance and speed up airport screening processes for travelers. ing. This automated technology works by taking a photo of a passenger and comparing the biometric data to the passenger’s identifying information.
A spokesperson told the Post that the machine will enable “travelers to use a mobile driver’s license,” which will increase security and improve the travel experience.
Approximately 50 airports across the country currently use CAT-2 machines. TSA plans to install the device at 400 airports, but noted it could take until 2030 or 2040 to be fully operational.
TSA maintains that the facial recognition process is voluntary for passengers.
“Travelers who decide not to participate in the use of facial recognition technology will undergo an alternate ID check by the TSO at the podium. Travelers will not be adversely affected by choosing not to participate. There is no problem and no delay in exercising your right not to participate in biometric verification technology,” TSA said. Website state.
It notes that real-time photos of travelers passing through airport security will not be stored after identity verification, “except in a limited testing environment to assess the effectiveness of the technology.”
A TSA spokesperson told the Post that travelers who do not want to participate in the automated process “can opt out without losing their spot in line or being delayed through security.”
Last year, a coalition of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed privacy concerns, even though the TSA claimed the technology would use “minimal data” in the identity verification process.
Oregon State Senator Jeff Merkley (Democratic) letter He challenged TSA Administrator David Pekoske on the agency’s biometric surveillance of Americans, saying it could pose “risks to civil liberties and privacy rights.”
“While TSA maintains that facial recognition scans are not mandatory, how do travelers know they can ‘opt out’ and what are the implications for them if they choose to opt out?” It is unclear whether this is the case,” Markley wrote.
The senator also claimed that the technology could “exacerbate racism.” The letter called on the TSA to “immediately halt deployment of facial recognition technology.” Merkley warned that the technology could be “a precursor to a full-fledged national surveillance state.”
In November, Merkley and Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana introduced a bipartisan bill that would ban the TSA from collecting biometric data.of Traveler Privacy Protection Act Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) also supported him.
“TSA scans the faces of thousands of Americans every day without authorization, and it doesn’t make it clear that travelers can opt out of invasive screening,” Kennedy said. “The Traveler Privacy Act would protect all Americans from Big Brother’s intrusion by eliminating facial recognition programs.”
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