TSA Official: Facial Recognition Tech to Rollout in More US Airports

The Transportation Security Administration has disclosed plans to start deploying facial recognition technology at more airports across the country.

A TSA official said the agency is working to enhance the Credential Authentication Technology devices by integrating automated facial recognition capabilities. Called CAT-2, the technology uses so-called one-to-one verification, with photos being compared against government-issued identification, including a driver’s license and passport.

The use of facial recognition technology has raised concerns from lawmakers and privacy advocates. A National Academies of Sciences report asked the government to create regulations on the use of the technology at airport security checkpoints, Nextgov/FCW reported.

Arun Vemury, senior engineering adviser for identity technologies at the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker, said the CAT systems do not record any information and will only have access to a limited amount of data.

The TSA has been planning to use the technology for years. In 2021, it sought feedback on the Next Generation Credential Authentication Technology to develop, install and maintain the agency’s facial recognition system to authenticate passenger credentials.