DHS Report Details Accuracy Rates in Federal Facial Recognition Programs

The Department of Homeland Security has released a comprehensive report detailing its implementation and oversight of Face Recognition and Face Capture (FR/FC) technologies across its operations. The report outlines policies, performance metrics, and privacy protections for these AI-driven systems, building upon several years of biometric technology deployment across U.S. borders and transportation hubs.

DHS Directive 026-11, implemented in September 2023, established requirements for FR/FC technology use, including mandatory testing for bias, opt-out rights for U.S. citizens in non-law enforcement scenarios, and prohibition of using FR/FC as the sole basis for enforcement actions. This directive followed extensive testing at the DHS Science & Technology Directorate’s Maryland Test Facility, which has been instrumental in evaluating demographic performance variations in biometric systems.

Performance data shows that operational FR/FC systems achieved 99 percent accuracy in traveler identification at U.S. ports of entry. TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology demonstrated consistent performance across demographic groups, while its PreCheck Touchless Identity Solution, which recently integrated with digital ID capabilities, recorded face detection accuracy between 88 and 97 percent. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s face matching maintained a minimum 97 percent success rate across all demographic groups.

The report details six primary use cases for FR/FC technologies: CBP Biometric Exit for air travelers, CBP Global Entry, CBP Simplified Arrival (now deployed at all U.S. international airports), HSI investigations focusing on child exploitation cases, TSA Credential Authentication, and TSA PreCheck’s Touchless Identity Solution.

Privacy protections include deletion of U.S. citizen photos from CBP databases within 12 hours and non-citizen photos within 14 days. Testing and evaluation occurs at DHS Science & Technology Directorate’s Maryland Test Facility, with input from civil society organizations.

The report identifies certain operational challenges, including longer processing times for individuals over 61 years old. DHS plans to continue monitoring system performance, conducting evaluations, and implementing government-wide AI risk management policies. This ongoing assessment builds upon previous biometric technology rallies that have helped establish performance benchmarks and identify areas for improvement.

Sources: ExecutiveGov

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January 22, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team