Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Rein in TSA's Facial Recognition Technology

Strategic Insights -

Sen. Jeff Merkley, a longtime leader in sounding the alarm on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) use of facial recognition technology, has introduced a bipartisan bill to protect passengers' right to travel without being forced to undergo facial recognition. The Traveler Privacy Protection Act aims to preserve the use of approved documents, such as driver's licenses, for air travel and require signage to inform passengers of their rights.

Merkley, joined by Senators John Kennedy, Edward J. Markey, and Roger Marshall, is pushing for committee consideration of this critical legislation as the TSA plans to expand facial recognition technology to over 430 airports nationwide. The bill comes after a report from the Algorithmic Justice League found that nearly 70% of passengers who opted out of TSA facial recognition technology encountered issues, with half of passengers not seeing TSA signage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Traveler Privacy Protection Act aims to preserve passengers' right to use approved documents, such as driver's licenses, for air travel.
  • The bill requires signage to inform passengers of their rights and protect data collected from abuse.
  • The TSA plans to expand facial recognition technology to over 430 airports nationwide.
  • A report from the Algorithmic Justice League found that nearly 70% of passengers who opted out of TSA facial recognition technology encountered issues.
  • Half of passengers did not see TSA signage, and the majority of passengers who opted out did not experience a smooth travel process.
  • Sen. Jeff Merkley has led the charge in sounding the alarm on TSA's use of facial recognition technology, previously pushing for an investigation into the practice.
  • Merkley has documented his own experience "opting out" of facial recognition technology while traveling from D.C. to Portland.

Statistics:

  • 430: The number of airports nationwide where TSA plans to expand facial recognition technology.
  • 420: The total number of traveler-submitted experiences included in the report from the Algorithmic Justice League.
  • 67%: The percentage of passengers who opted out of TSA facial recognition technology and encountered issues.
  • 50%: The percentage of passengers who did not see TSA signage while attempting to opt out of facial recognition technology.

Sources:

  • Merkley, Jeff. "Merkley Statement on His Bipartisan Bill to Rein in TSA Facial Recognition Technology at Airports Nationwide." Merkley Senate Website, 30 Jul.
  • Algorithmic Justice League. Report (no date).