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The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
Airlines urge senators to reject bill limiting facial recognition
A group representing several major airlines alongside travel companies and airports are opposing a Senate bill that would require the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) to generally use manual ID verification at security checkpoints instead of facial recognition. The bill, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would broadly restrict TSA's ability to use biometrics and facial recognition, carving out a few exemptions for the agency's Precheck and other Trusted Traveler programs. Passengers may still opt-in to the use of facial recognition at the checkpoint. In a letter to Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) on Monday, the air industry groups said the law was a 'step backward' and that facial recognition technology made security screenings far more efficient. 'The future of seamless and secure travel relies on the appropriate use of this technology to ensure security effectiveness and operational efficiency as daily travel volume continues to rise,' they wrote. 'We are concerned that the vague and confusing exceptions to this blanket ban will have major consequences for the identity verification process, screening operations, and trusted traveler enrollment programs.' Cruz and Cantwell are their parties' highest-ranking members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which is scheduled to mark up the bill on Wednesday. In addition to limiting the use of facial recognition, Merkley's bill would also require TSA to delete most images collected at checkpoints within 24 hours of a passenger's departure. Travelers going through a TSA checkpoint are generally able to opt out of facial recognition, the agency says. Merkley has argued that the agency's enforcement is inconsistent, posting on social media in February about his difficulties navigating the policy at Reagan International Airport. 'This is big government coming to take away your privacy, trying to set up a national surveillance system,' the Oregon Democrat said in February. The airlines, however, warned that restricting the use of facial recognition could slow down security and divert TSA's resources toward maintaining officer staffing, rather than focusing on automated innovations. The group also said it felt it had been insufficiently consulted on the legislation, 'despite the major impact the bill would have on aviation security, airports, airlines, travelers, and technology companies.' The bill has gathered bipartisan support. In addition to Merkley, Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) have signed on as cosponsors. The legislation, which was first introduced in May, comes as the Trump administration has rolled back TSA's longstanding policy of requiring travelers to take off their shoes at checkpoints.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Business
- Arab Times
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
WASHINGTON, July 29: Leading U.S. airlines, travel companies, and airport groups have urged the Senate to reject a proposed bill that would restrict the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) use of facial recognition technology at airport security checkpoints. In a letter viewed by Reuters, the industry groups — including Airlines for America (which represents carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines), U.S. Travel, and two major airport associations—warned that the bill could significantly slow identity verification processes, leading to increased wait times at airports nationwide. The bipartisan bill, which the Senate Commerce Committee is set to consider on Wednesday, aims to protect travelers' privacy rights by ensuring they can opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings and by placing guardrails on the use and potential abuse of passenger biometric data. One of the bill's sponsors, Republican Senator John Kennedy, criticized the current use of facial recognition in May, saying the TSA 'subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings,' adding that it invades passenger privacy without clearly informing them of their right to opt out. Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, another co-sponsor, echoed those concerns, stating that the unchecked expansion of TSA facial recognition programs risks pushing the country toward 'a national surveillance state.' If passed, the legislation would require TSA to offer passengers a clear, non-biometric alternative for identity verification. It would also prohibit discriminatory treatment or harsher screening conditions for travelers who choose not to have their faces scanned. However, airline and travel industry groups strongly oppose the measure. In their letter, they described the proposed restrictions as a step backward for national security, arguing that the limitations would prevent TSA from modernizing its operations through automation. This, they said, would force the agency to continue relying on manual, officer-based processes and keep approximately 75% of its budget tied to staffing instead of advancing technology. The groups further warned that the bill could hinder innovation in airport systems, such as automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, and lead to 'overwhelming and chaotic' conditions at security checkpoints across the country. Senators Kennedy and Merkley did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
US airlines push back against Senate plan to curb airport facial recognition
Air travellers may soon face changes at security lines as a new Senate bill takes aim at TSA's use of facial recognition technology. But the nation's biggest airlines aren't on board. Warning of longer wait times and disrupted operations, travel companies and airports urged the Senate to reject the bill that promises to give passengers more control over how they're bill, set for committee consideration on Wednesday, is designated to protect travellers' privacy by allowing them to opt out of facial recognition screenings. It also seeks to prevent misuse of biometric data collected by the TSA. Supporters of the bill -- including Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Senator John Kennedy -- argue that the TSA currently subjects many law-abiding passengers to invasive facial recognition without clearly informing them of their right to decline. Kennedy said in May, "The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening." "Folks don't want a national surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to," Merkley PUSH FACES PRIVACY ROADBLOCKThe bill would require TSA to offer passengers an alternative identity verification method that does not involve facial recognition. It also mandates that travelers who decline facial scans must not face discriminatory treatment or additional delays. However, Airlines for America -- a trade group representing carriers like American Airlines, Delta, United, and Southwest -- warned that the bill's restrictions would harm airport efficiency and national security."Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for our national security," the airlines wrote in their letter. They stressed that removing facial recognition would force TSA to rely heavily on manual identity checks, tying up about 75% of TSA's budget on staffing rather than investing in technology. This, they said, would hinder important innovations such as automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID groups cautioned that limiting facial recognition could create "an overwhelming and chaotic environment at every airport security check," causing longer wait times. - EndsWith inputs from Reuters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Groups representing major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial recognition software at security checkpoints. The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data. Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and others, along with U.S. Travel and two airport groups, opposed the bill in a letter seen by Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by slowing down identity verification at every airport security checkpoint." Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican John Kennedy, two of the bill's sponsors, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening," Kennedy said in May. Merkley said in May "folks don't want a national surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to." The bill would restrict TSA's current authority to use biometrics and facial recognition technology. TSA would be required to provide passengers with the option to have their identity verified without use of facial recognition and prohibit TSA from subjecting travelers choosing not having their faces scanned to discriminatory treatment or less favorable screening conditions. "Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for our national security," the airlines and others said, adding it would "prevent TSA from achieving staffing efficiencies through technology automation by requiring officer-based interactions – forcing 75% of TSA's budget to remain tied to staffing rather than technology investment." The airlines also said it could obstruct innovation in the aviation system like automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and "create an overwhelming and chaotic environment at every airport security check." Solve the daily Crossword
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Groups representing major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial recognition software at security checkpoints. The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data. Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab, Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), opens new tab and others, along with U.S. Travel and two airport groups, opposed the bill in a letter seen by Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by slowing down identity verification at every airport security checkpoint." Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican John Kennedy, two of the bill's sponsors, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening," Kennedy said in May. Merkley said in May "folks don't want a national surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to." The bill would restrict TSA's current authority to use biometrics and facial recognition technology. TSA would be required to provide passengers with the option to have their identity verified without use of facial recognition and prohibit TSA from subjecting travelers choosing not having their faces scanned to discriminatory treatment or less favorable screening conditions. "Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for our national security," the airlines and others said, adding it would "prevent TSA from achieving staffing efficiencies through technology automation by requiring officer-based interactions – forcing 75% of TSA's budget to remain tied to staffing rather than technology investment." The airlines also said it could obstruct innovation in the aviation system like automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and "create an overwhelming and chaotic environment at every airport security check."
