Overview

• The Senate Commerce Committee is slated to mark up the bipartisan Traveler Privacy Protection Act on July 30, introducing an amended substitute that incorporates about 80% of TSA’s technical feedback
• The bill would require travelers to opt in to facial recognition at security checkpoints and guarantee a manual identity verification alternative without added delays
• Under the proposal, the TSA must delete most facial images within 24 hours of a passenger’s departure to prevent indefinite retention or misuse of biometric data
• Major airlines and airport groups have urged senators to reject the proposal, warning that reduced biometric screening would slow security lines and overburden staffing resources
• Opponents contend that limiting facial recognition could derail airport modernization efforts ahead of events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics