The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Buffalo Niagara International Airport has introduced new facial recognition technology to enhance identity verification and combat the use of fraudulent IDs.
The Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) system scans travelers’ photo IDs and captures real-time photos to verify their identity and flight status. The CAT-2 units, equipped with cameras on tablets, compare the real-time photo of the traveler with the image on their identification document, such as a driver’s license or passport. The touchless system streamlines the verification process to about three to five seconds per individual, and can authenticate over 2,500 types of IDs, including various government-issued documents and travel credentials.
According to Bart R. Johnson, the Federal Security Director for TSA in upstate New York, the technology ensures accurate identification of travelers boarding flights.
Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, noted that the Buffalo airport experiences an increase in passenger traffic during the summer, with daily averages reaching up to 7,500 passengers. This system aims to maintain efficiency while enhancing security during peak travel times.
While the new technology is designed to expedite the screening process and detect fraudulent IDs, it has faced criticism over potential biases in facial recognition technology. Some passengers and policymakers have raised concerns about the implications for racial discrimination. In response, the TSA maintains that the system does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Travelers who prefer not to have their photos taken can opt for an alternative verification process. The real-time photos taken during the screening are deleted immediately after use, ensuring privacy for the passengers.
Source: Government Technology
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June 3, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
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