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11mo ago

Senators Challenge TSA's Expanding Use of Facial Recognition at Airports

A bipartisan group of senators urges a halt to the TSA's facial recognition expansion, citing privacy concerns and questionable security benefits.

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A Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) identity verification machine is demonstrated to a member of the media at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint at Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI) in Baltimore, Maryland, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. The TSA is conducting biometric operational assessments at 16 domestic airports to study the potential for enhancement in identity verification and improved checkpoint efficiency, according to the agency. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty)

Overview

  • 14 senators from both parties express concerns over privacy and civil liberties implications of TSA's facial recognition technology.
  • Senators argue the technology, which could soon be at 430 airports, does not enhance air travel safety and has a high error rate.
  • The TSA plans to expand facial recognition from 25 to over 430 airports by July, despite congressional pushback.
  • Senators leverage upcoming FAA reauthorization bill to demand rigorous oversight of TSA's facial recognition program.
  • Concerns include potential for widespread government surveillance and the technology's optional nature, which may change.