Senator Jeff Merkley is a prominent privacy advocate in the Senate, and he has been pushing for restrictions on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of facial recognition technology. This has raised concerns from both the agency and industry stakeholders regarding airport security and potential delays for travelers. In an interview with Bloomberg Government on Tuesday, Senator Merkley shared his intentions to attach language limiting TSA’s use of facial recognition to a comprehensive aviation bill that is scheduled for consideration in the Senate this week.
The proposed measure aims to hinder TSA’s ability to utilize facial recognition technology for verifying traveler identities, which the agency asserts is a more efficient and secure method compared to traditional ID checks conducted by checkpoint officers. If implemented, this restriction could impact the way TSA operates and could potentially lead to longer wait times for travelers at airport security checkpoints. However, Senator Merkley believes that it is essential to prioritize privacy concerns and ensure that the use of facial recognition technology does not compromise individual rights or security measures in place at airports.
