The TSA’s Facial Recognition Technology may be rolled out nationwide next year

• WaPo reported that TSA may expand its facial recognition ID system across the country next year.
• 16 domestic airports currently use facial recognition to identify passengers.
• Since 9/11, the TSA has used biometric technology.

The TSA may expand the pilot program of its facial recognition identification system — currently being used in 16 domestic airports across the United States — to include airports nationwide as early as next year.

The Washington Post reportedThe controversial technology relies on “”live photos” Cross-referenced to your driver’s license photo” was first introduced at DC’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to address coronavirus concerns. Since then, it has expanded to include major airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Dallas-Forth Worth Airport, and Orlando International Airport. 

The tech is currently opt in. Passengers will need to go to a kiosk and insert their ID. After that, they will be scanned. Passengers can opt for a standard TSA screening instead. 

“What we often see with these biometric programs is they are only optional in the introductory phases — and over time we see them becoming standardized and nationalized and eventually compulsory,” Albert Fox Cahn, the founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, or STOP?, told The Post. “There is no more coercive place to ask people for their permission than an airport.”

Other than the TSA, facial recognition technology can be used by other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. This includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement. uses the tech to track migrants. Law enforcement agencies have also adopted the techAlthough its use has been heavily criticised, widespread reports of racial bias.

In some cities, law enforcement can even make it illegal. including San FranciscoFalse arrests have been made in some cases due to inaccurate facial recognition scans that were racially biased. jail time for a Black man who was misidentified.

Jason Lim, TSA’s runner, is Jason Lim. the program, called Credential Authentication Technology with Camera (CAT-2), told The Washington Post passengers should not worry about being misidentified — but critics aren’t eager to take his word for it.

Cahn said, “I am concerned that the TSA will allow technology that’s more likely to falsely charge Black and Brown travelers and nonbinary travelers, and other groups who have historically faced more facial recognition mistakes,” The PostHe said that he didn’t trust the TSA to assess the effectiveness of its facial recognition systems.

Insider reached out to the TSA representatives but they did not immediately respond.