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An amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, proposed by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), aims to restrict the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from employing most automated facial matching technologies at airport checkpoints. These technologies, currently operational at many of the largest and busiest airports in the U.S., have been optional for travelers and received considerable support from flyers. The proposed amendment seeks an immediate cessation of their use.
“Biometric technology is the future of air traveler screening and it is supported by the traveling public,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Misguided efforts to place blanket restrictions on facial technology only succeed in harming security, wasting travelers’ time and costing millions in taxpayer dollars invested in developing state-of-the-art screening technology. Congress will provoke the ire of millions of travelers if it chooses to hinder innovation, slow the travel process and reduce security.”
The Merkley/Kennedy amendment coincides with a tour by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, which included top figures from the TSA, Delta Air Lines, and the U.S. Travel Association. During their Wednesday visit to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, they explored several innovations. These included the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID with Delta, CAT-2 screening technology, and Delta’s comprehensive curb-to-gate digital identity experience, showcasing the future of efficient and secure biometric screening.
“Atlanta’s airport is the busiest in the country and thousands of travelers each day choose to use automated identity verification technology for a safer and faster security experience,” Freeman said. “It’s an example of how—if given the choice—travelers will choose safety and efficiency almost every time.”
The Merkley/Kennedy amendment proposes to prohibit or significantly limit the TSA’s use of biometric technology. This could lead to increased wait times at security screening checkpoints and diminish the effectiveness of sophisticated biometric facial recognition programs, such as the CAT-2 machines and the TSA PreCheck’s Touchless ID collaborations with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Additionally, this amendment could result in the squandering of millions of dollars invested in taxpayer-funded biometric screening technologies currently deployed at airports.
Members of the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel have emphasized the critical role biometrics play in fulfilling the TSA’s objectives.
Kevin McAleenan, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated: “Biometrics are critical to TSA’s mission, bolstering its commitment to security and the customer experience. By leveraging facial recognition and other biometric technologies, TSA has increased security at the checkpoint, enhanced the traveler experience, and improved efficiency thereby focusing more resources on new and emerging threats.”
“I spent a significant portion of my time in Congress on the House Homeland Security Committee focused on strengthening aviation security at airports nationwide,” said former House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member John Katko. “A vital piece of that effort is the increased use of biometric technology at security checkpoints. Our nation has made vital investments to ensure the safe and efficient screening of passengers using advanced identity verification technology. To abandon biometric technology and the progress we have made would make airports less safe. I strongly oppose this proposal.”
“Senators Merkley and Kennedy should come to Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and let TSA give them a tour. They should see—firsthand—how TSA’s new systems work, and how the traveling public is responding. Spoiler alert: It’s popular. No one is forced to use the new system, but people are volunteering in droves to use it, just like people clamored to sign up for TSA PreCheck,” said Seth Stodder, former Assistant Secretary for Borders, Immigration and Trade Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The visit to ATL on Wednesday included several high-profile attendees: TSA Deputy Administrator Holly Canevari, Acting TSA Chief of Staff Myung Kim, TSA Chief Innovation Officer Steven Parker, and Melissa Conley, Executive Director of Capability Management and Innovation at TSA. Also present were Alexa Lopez, TSA’s Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications and Public Affairs; John Laughter, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations at Delta Air Lines; Delta’s Managing Directors Jason Hausner and Greg Forbes, overseeing Passenger Facilitation and Airport Experience respectively; and Ray Provencio, Acting Executive Director of Admissibility and Passenger Programs at CBP. The event was further distinguished by the presence of U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes, and multiple members of the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, led by co-chair Kevin McAleenan.
The post Federal Aviation Administration Bill Amendment Seeks to End TSA Use of Biometric Screening across U.S. Airports appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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