TSA Using Facial Recognition Technology to Speed Up Airport Wait Times

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to work on a pilot program for facial recognition technology at several major airports throughout the United States.

According to The Associated Press, the technology test programs are part of an effort by TSA officials to enhance security and streamline procedures as demand continues to surge post-pandemic.

The facial recognition technology systems can be found in 16 airports, including in major cities like Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando and more, and the program is voluntary and accurate, according to the TSA.

Travelers entering participating airports will be asked to walk up to a security checkpoint, insert their photo ID card into the machine and look into a small camera. A TSA officer will verify the data is correct and passengers can move through the checkpoint faster than normal, a much-needed change for an agency that screens 2.4 million passengers daily.

TSA officials said the pilot program has yielded positive results so far and no major issues of discrimination based on age, gender, race or ethnicity have been reported. Some elected officials and privacy advocates continue to question the technology and how the data obtained is secured.

“We take these privacy concerns and civil rights concerns very seriously, because we touch so many people every day,” identity management capabilities manager Jason Lim told The AP.