Lawmakers Urge TSA to Consider Pausing Facial Identification Technology Implementation at Airports
A Group of Senators Raises Alarms over TSA's Facial Recognition Expansion
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up to massively implement facial recognition technology at airports across the U.S., escalating from 25 airports to a staggering 430 by July. However, a coalition of fourteen Senators, from both political parties, isn't impressed - they've penned a letter to voicing their concerns about the increased use of this technology.
Led by Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley from Oregon, these Senators are aiming to curb TSA's facial recognition implementation during the upcoming reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which takes place every five years. The current authorization runs out on May 10.
In simple terms, under the program, travelers need to swipe their driver's license or passport and snap a photo at the airport. This image is then compared to the presented ID to ensure the person flying possesses valid identification.
Merkley and company have expressed their apprehensions about TSA facial recognition in a letter addressed to Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer from New York, and Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Minority Leader from Kentucky.
They argue that the technology, if left up to TSA, could pose significant privacy risks. The letter warns that as citizens become accustomed to governmental facial recognition scans, it would be "that much easier for the government to scan citizens' faces everywhere – from government buildings, to passive surveillance in public spaces like parks, schools, and sidewalks."
The group's letter also points out reports indicating that these TSA facial recognition tools have a relatively high error rate, making air travel less secure.
"In response to congressional inquiries, TSA has not produced evidence that more false identification documents have been discovered since the implementation of facial recognition," the letter stated.
If the facial recognition tech at airports sees a surge, it will go from 16 airports in late 2022 to 430 this summer. But, it remains to be seen whether these senators' concerns will sway the TSA from expanding its use of facial recognition, particularly when the technology is being introduced in a domestic security setting.
The letter concludes by expressing worries that the TSA aims to make facial recognition scans mandatory for passengers, not just at security checkpoints but every time they travel.
The FAA reauthorization bill, as it stands now, designates $105 billion in appropriations to the FAA, and $738 million to the NTSB, as per CNN reports. Stay tuned for updates on how the senators' concerns might influence the ongoing discussions on FAA reauthorization and the expansion of facial recognition programs in airports.
- The Senators' concern about TSA's facial recognition expansion represents a move to restrict its implementation during the upcoming reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- The advocated facial recognition technology, if made mandatory by TSA, could potentially be used not just at security checkpoints but every time a passenger travels.
- The Senators argue that the widespread use of TSA's facial recognition technology could pose significant privacy risks, with the possibility of governmental facial recognition scans becoming common in various public spaces.
- In the letter addressed to Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, the Senators have raised concerns about the relatively high error rate of TSA's facial recognition tools, which could compromise air travel security.
