A group of 14 senators, all from different parties, is asking their leaders to enact laws to restrict the use of facial recognition technology by the Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) to protect privacy and civil liberties.
The team, led by Sens. Jeff Merkley ( D- OR ), John Kennedy, ( R- LA ), and Roger Marshall ( R- KS), requested in a letter Thursday that Senate leaders use the upcoming reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) to limit TSA’s use of the technology, the Associated Press reported.
The letter stated that until strict congressional oversight is in place, TSA does not develop and use facial recognition tools because they pose significant risks to our privacy and civic liberties.
Before heading through metal detectors, guests insert their Authentication into an electrical audience, then stand still for a picture. A TSA representative approves the screen after a unit checks the image to make sure it matches their pilot’s license or passport.
The questionable technology is currently being used in 84 out of the 430 TSA- covered airports , around the nation, with the leadership planning to grow to more.
According to TSA, the senators ‘ work “would end facial recognition technology at protection checkpoints, which has proven to increase security efficiency, effectiveness, and the passenger experience”.
” The FAA reauthorization is one of the previous must- go costs of this Congress”, the outlet reported.
Reviewers of the technology , say it is not obvious enough to people that it is recommended. Additionally, they have expressed fears about who can access the data and how it is collected.
” It is clear that we are at a critical juncture”, the senators wrote. With little public conversation or congressional oversight, the government’s usage of facial acknowledgement on Americans will grow rapidly under TSA’s plans.
Earlier, TSA Administrator David Pekoske stated that the organization plans to require biometric verification to improve efficiency, but he did n’t specify when, according to the AP.
