The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly rolled out a facial recognition system at 84 US airports, sparking concerns among experts about its potential impact on civil liberties and democracy.
The program, known as Credential Authentication Technology with Camera (CAT-2), scans passengers’ faces in real time and matches it to their government-issued ID. This allows travelers to proceed without showing their physical license, but critics warn that this technology can be used for mass surveillance.
Jeramie Scott, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, describes facial recognition as “an invasive and dangerous surveillance technology.” He warns that its widespread use could accelerate the erosion of privacy, leading to significant implications for civil liberties and democracy.
Despite TSA’s assurances that passengers have a voluntary opt-out option, many travelers remain unaware of this choice. Critics argue that the lack of comprehensive federal regulations governing facial recognition technology exacerbates these concerns.
As TSA plans to expand the program to over 400 airports in the coming years, experts are sounding the alarm about the potential misuse of biometric data by the government. The Department of Homeland Security’s inclusion of TSA within its umbrella raises serious concerns about the use of traveler data.
While TSA insists that biometric screening will enhance security and improve the passenger experience, critics point to the agency’s placement within a department responsible for immigration enforcement as a major red flag.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14728449/Urgent-warning-Americans-dangerous-technology-80-airports.html