The Transportation Security Administration has announced a new roadmap for biometrics use on domestic travelers, and privacy advocates may not like it.
The agency will expand its use of biometrics for travelers staying within the United States, which builds on what it is already doing with international travelers.
It is also expanding the use of facial recognition and other biometric technologies in TSA PreCheck lanes, which some of our SecureWorld team has noticed on the way to regional cybersecurity conferences.
And starting in October 2018, TSA is partnering with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Delta Airlines to launch the first biometric terminal that uses facial recognition to automate self-service bag drop, ID verification, and flight boarding.
“With the threat to aviation evolving every day, developing the next generation of security technology with our industry partners is critically important,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “By expanding our use of biometrics, TSA secures its position as a global leader in aviation security and advances global transportation security standards.”
TSA lists a number of reasons for this push into biometrics for domestic travelers:
• Advancing technology
• Cultural shift—travelers are more used to it
• Rising travel volumes while staffing is flat
• Business case—airports want streamlined curb-to-flight process
Here is where you can read the new TSA Biometrics Roadmap.