Latest news with #CAT-2
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
TSA Announces Big Change at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Over the past several months the Transportation Security Administration has been rolling out new technology to screen passengers before their travels. One of the busiest airports in the United States will be seeing that upgrade this month. On June 5 the TSA announced a new security checkpoint located at the south end of the terminal on the arrivals level at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The new checkpoint is designed to screen up to 750 passengers per hour. "It will be open daily 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the first checkpoint on the baggage claim level as part of innovative designs in a space constrained terminal. This will provide a new option for travelers for convenience as well as additional queuing and re-composure space to improve the customer experience," the TSA said in a statement. The security administration revealed what passengers can expect when encountering the latest version of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2). "A TSA officer will scan the passenger's photo identification and a camera will capture a real-time photo of the passenger. CAT-2 uses facial matching technology to compare the features on the photo ID against the in-person, real-time photo," the TSA said. "Once the unit confirms a match, a TSA officer verifies it and the traveler can proceed to security screening. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed. Through a secure Internet connection, the units also verify that an individual is ticketed for air travel, negating the need to show a boarding pass." The TSA also revealed photos captured by the new equipment are "never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification." Travelers who don't want to participate in the facial matching process have the option to opt Announces Big Change at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2025
The Hill
21-05-2025
- The Hill
Can you decline to have your photo taken at a TSA checkpoint?
(NEXSTAR) – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been working to bring facial recognition technology to security checkpoints at hundreds of airports over the last several years, with the goal of streamlining the ID process and improving 'traveler convenience.' 'The facial recognition technology TSA uses helps ensure the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on the identification document (ID) credential,' the TSA writes of its Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners, which are currently being used at 259 airports, according to a TSA spokesperson. The agency also explains that the images are not used for surveillance purposes. These biometrics are 'solely' used to assist with ID comparisons, the TSA says, and will be deleted shortly after the verification of a passenger's identification. (There are 'limited' instances when photos are kept to evaluate or test the accuracy of the technology, but passengers will be notified when this is the case, the spokesperson said.) Despite these assurances, some passengers have expressed reservations about the process, or find it a bit intrusive. But these people may be interested to know that the process is completely voluntary. Passengers who opt out of the photo, though, will still be subjected to an ID verification process by a TSA officer. 'Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial recognition technology process may decline the optional photo, without recourse, in favor of an alternative identity verification process, which does not use facial recognition technology to verify their identity,' the TSA says. The TSA also explains that these 'alternate' processes will not result in a passenger losing their place in line. It also won't take any longer than the CAT-2 scanning process, the agency claims. When asked what an alternate ID verification process might entail, a TSA spokesperson told Nexstar that an officer will first 'visually compare' the passengers face with their ID before taking one (or more) of the following actions: scanning the ID with the CAT-2 machine, or utilizing UV lights, magnifiers or 'other tools' to assess the legitimacy of the ID. 'TSA is committed to protecting traveler privacy, civil rights, civil liberties and ensuring the public's trust as it seeks to improve the traveler experience through its exploration of identity verification technologies,' the agency says. Signage placed at TSA checkpoints — like those seen hanging from the CAT-2 machines in the image below — also aim to inform travelers of their right to decline a photo during the screening process. 'Participation in TSA facial recognition technology is optional. Your photo is deleted after identity is verified,' reads the signage. 'Advise the officer if you do not want your photo taken. You will not lose your place in line.' Customs and Border Protection (CBP), too, has a similar policy, allowing travelers to opt out of its biometrics technology and 'request alternative processing, which typically involves a manual review of their travel documents by a CBP Officer.' That said, the Department of Homeland Security has plenty of confidence in the current biometrics technologies in use by the TSA and CBP. A January report from DHS found that the facial recognition tools accurately match faces well over 99% of the time, regardless of demographic groups. The TSA also believes that future efforts to implement new identify-verifying technologies to U.S. checkpoints — including biometric tools — will only enhance safety. 'TSA hopes that biometrics technology will result in improved accuracy and speed of identity verification, while making the passenger experience faster and more seamless.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Concern is building over TSA facial recognition tech. Here's how to opt out
Concerns are growing among air travelers about what happens to their photos taken by Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) facial recognition technology at airports. The TSA utilizes second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners to verify travelers' identification and flight status, according to the agency. When a traveler hands their ID to the officer, the officer places it in the CAT unit. The unit scans the ID and confirms its validity to the officer. These units can authenticate over 2,500 types of IDs including passports, driver's licenses, U.S. visas and military IDs. CAT-2 units have been implemented at about 85 airports nationwide, including Logan International Airport in Boston which adopted the screening technology in February 2020. Despite the TSA's assurances, a recent article from HuffPost has urged travelers to opt out of facial recognition raising questions about data privacy. 'Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology,' according to a TSA statement. If a traveler wants to opt out of using the facial-recognition technology, TSA added that they won't 'experience any negative consequences for choosing not to participate.' 'Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial recognition technology process may decline the optional photo, without recourse, in favor of an alternative identity verification process, which does not use facial recognition technology to verify their identity,' the statement reads. 'There is no issue and no delay with a traveler exercising their rights to not participate in the automated biometrics matching technology,' TSA wrote. Trump can revoke protected status of 350K migrants, Supreme Court says Man barricaded inside Worcester home prompts police response Food hub to launch at Worcester's Union Station in June Lynnfield man found dead in apartment played semi-pro football Mass. casino winner: $1 bet ends in jackpot win Read the original article on MassLive.
