The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a guide on opting out of biometric facial recognition technology at airports and other ports of entry. This technology is part of CBP’s broader effort to enhance identity verification processes through facial comparison systems, which are now implemented at all international airports, 53 locations for exit procedures, and 39 seaports, including pedestrian lanes at border ports. Despite its advantages, such as processing over 540 million travelers and preventing over 2,000 impostors, some privacy concerns have arisen.
The facial recognition system, known as Simplified Arrival, was introduced as part of a security upgrade following the 9/11 Commission Report’s recommendations. CBP emphasizes that while the technology is designed to streamline and secure travel, it is not a surveillance program. To address privacy issues, the agency ensures that U.S. citizen photos are retained for no more than 12 hours and that clear signage informs travelers about the technology.
For those who prefer not to participate in facial recognition, the guide explains the opt-out process. Travelers can choose an alternative, which typically involves a manual review of their travel documents by a CBP officer. This option is available to both domestic and international travelers, allowing them to bypass facial recognition in favor of traditional ID verification methods.
The guide underscores CBP’s commitment to balancing security with privacy, providing travelers with a choice to opt out if they are uncomfortable with facial recognition. The guide is part of an ongoing effort to address privacy concerns while leveraging technology to improve travel efficiency and security.
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