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20h ago

Major Carriers Oppose Senate Bill Restricting TSA Facial Recognition

Under the proposal, TSA would replace facial scans with manual ID checks for travelers who opt out, with carriers warning the change would clog screening lanes.

Corporate logos of American Airlines are seen at their office in Caracas, Venezuela March 15, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
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Overview

  • The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up the Merkley-Kennedy bill on Wednesday, bringing mandatory non-biometric screening provisions up for formal review.
  • The legislation would require TSA to offer a manual identity verification option in place of facial recognition and to delete most captured images within 24 hours of a passenger’s departure.
  • Airlines for America cautioned in a letter that the restrictions could divert up to 75% of TSA resources to staffing manual checks, slow down security lines and stall innovations like automated e-gates.
  • Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) lead the bipartisan effort, joined by cosponsors from both parties including Ed Markey, Roger Marshall, Chris Van Hollen and Steve Daines.
  • Major U.S. carriers such as American, Delta, United and Southwest argue that limiting biometric screening would represent a step backward for both security effectiveness and operational efficiency.