TSA's New Face Scan Tech Sparks Privacy Alarm: Watchdogs Sound the Surveillance Alert

Certain specialists and political figures have expressed worries over the increasing adoption of facial recognition systems. airports across the US.

Since 2022, the Transportation Security Administration has been introducing this advanced tech at numerous airport security checkpoints. This updated version, known as the second-generation Credential Authentication Technology or simply CAT-2, aims to enhance screening processes. scan travelers' faces And compare it with real-time photo identification, yet some concerns remain regarding its use. a violation of privacy .

The Lehigh Valley International Airport, located just outside of Philadelphia One of the latest airports to get the CAT-2 equipment is this facility. Passengers have the option to choose an alternative security measure instead of undergoing facial recognition.

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CAT-2 checks the photograph on the identification document against the live, real-time image of the traveler. After CAT-2 confirms a match, a TSA agent reviews it, allowing the traveler to move forward through the security checkpoint.

The TSA guarantees travelers that the image is subsequently discarded. However, certain specialists raise doubts about the safety measures surrounding the CAT-2 database.

India McKinney, who leads federal affairs at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told USAToday that despite the supposed deletion of photos from these devices, issues such as human error, technological failures, security breaches, and various complications can still occur.

McKinney stated, "The issue isn't with the authenticity of your face or driver’s license; it revolves around the database over which you hold no authority."

The TSA stated in an announcement that they acknowledge public worries "concerning the precision of facial recognition and other biometric systems," and these concerns are taken very seriously by them.

A representative stated: "The TSA is dedicated to safeguarding travelers' privacy. Normally, under standard operations, the agency’s facial recognition technology discards all traveler information and images right after confirming one’s identity."

In January, Forbes reported that there were 230 airports outfitted with CAT-2 systems, with plans to deploy these technologies in 430 airports nationwide.

Earlier this month, Senators Jeff Merkley from Oregon and John Neely Kennedy from Louisiana announced their plan to propose a bipartisan bill aimed at limiting facial recognition technology, as reported by the Washington Post.

The proposed legislation would permit the use of facial recognition technology only if travelers choose to participate, rather than having it be mandatory with an option to decline.

Merkley stated to the publication, "Facial recognition technology is extremely potent and is being utilized globally as a tool for repression to monitor individuals who disagree with government views."

It truly establishes a surveillance society. This poses an enormous risk to liberty and personal privacy within our country, and I believe we shouldn’t entrust any administration with such authority.

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