TSA Tests Out Facial Recognition

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is testing out a facial recognition technology at a number of airports across the country. Passengers can slip an ID card into a slot and look into a screen while the machine takes a photo instead of handing over the card to a TSA officer.

AP News broke down the specific process explaining, “Travelers put their driver’s license into a slot that reads the card or place their passport photo against a card reader. Then they look at a camera on a screen about the size of an iPad, which captures their image and compares it to their ID. The technology is both checking to make sure the people at the airport match the ID they present and that the identification is in fact real. A TSA officer is still there and signs off on the screening.”

Jason Lim, identity management capabilities manager, explained the purpose of the technology during a demonstration at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. “What we are trying to do with this is aid the officers to actually determine that you are who you say who you are.”

Concerns about certain minorities facing bias from the technology and the potential of hacking have circulated. However, not every airport is using the pilot technology and passengers have the option to opt out of the use of the facial recognition verification process. QR codes are also posted for passengers to scan to get more information about the technology.