Senators Advocate Imposing Limitations on Facial Recognition Technology at Airports

A bipartisan group of senators has written a letter urging the Senate to use the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization to prohibit the use of facial recognition technology at airports across the country.
The senators, including Jeff Merkley, John Kennedy, and Roger Marshall, expressed their concerns about privacy and civil rights in the letter, specifically addressing the risks associated with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) deployment of facial recognition technology on a large scale.
“We believe that this technology poses significant threats to our privacy and civil liberties, and Congress should prohibit the TSA from developing and deploying facial recognition tools until there is rigorous congressional oversight,” the senators stated.
The initiative, led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore), John Kennedy (R-La), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan), aims to block the use of facial recognition technology at security checkpoints. Although the technology has proven to be effective, efficient, and accepted by passengers, the senators are concerned about potential violations of privacy and civil liberties.
The senators emphasized the need for congressional oversight and approval of the technology by the TSA before it is implemented. They called for thorough assessment and regulations regarding the provision and deployment of facial recognition devices by the TSA.
Currently, the TSA relies on facial recognition technology at 84 airports, with plans to expand to over 400 airports in the future. Passengers at these airports can choose to either scan their passport photo using a reader and machine or simply look into a camera after their ID has been verified by the reader. The machine then scans and compares the two images to verify the traveler’s identity, facilitated by a TSA officer.
According to the TSA, this system eliminates human errors and allows passengers to pass through security checkpoints quickly. However, travelers still have the option to opt out. TSA Administrator David Pekoske has stated that biometrics may be required in the future due to their reliability and time-saving benefits.
The senators are calling on Schumer and McConnell to use the FAA reauthorization bill as an opportunity to impose restrictions on the TSA’s use of facial recognition technology. They stress the need for immediate action to address the risks associated with the rapid implementation of facial recognition surveillance. Transparency, public discourse, and congressional oversight are seen as crucial elements in addressing concerns surrounding the adoption of this technology in airports and other settings.
While the TSA promotes facial recognition technology as a significant security enhancement that facilitates travel, the senators are concerned about its potential future applications. They believe that the technology could be abused beyond passenger screening at airport checkpoints, with facial recognition scans becoming commonplace in government settings. This could potentially allow the government to scan citizens anywhere, from public buildings to parks and educational institutions, without public debate or congressional oversight.
The senators urge Schumer and McConnell to use the FAA reauthorization bill to limit the TSA’s development of facial recognition technology. They fear that without restrictions, the TSA’s facial recognition plans could extend to cover all Americans, further highlighting the importance of transparency, public discourse, and congressional oversight in addressing these concerns.