Mon Jan 1, 0001

Facial Recognition: Airports and DMVs

Airport Facial Recognition

TSA CAT-2 Units

TSA Credential Authentication Technology with facial matching. Deployed to 80+ airports as of early 2024 (including ATL, DTW, LAX, DCA). TSA states participation optional for US citizens; travelers may request manual document review. Advocacy groups (ACLU, EFF) report opt-out poorly communicated and practically difficult.

CBP Biometric Entry-Exit

Mandated by Congress (2004 Intelligence Reform Act, reinforced 2016). Facial comparison at departure gates. As of 2023: 32 airports for entry, 30+ for exit. 300+ million travelers processed through 2023.

Airlines

  • Delta: biometric boarding at Atlanta Terminal F (2018), expanded to Detroit, hubs
  • JetBlue: facial recognition boarding at JFK, Boston Logan, Fort Lauderdale (2017)
  • American Airlines and United: piloted biometric boarding programs

Accuracy and Bias

NIST Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT, 2019 and subsequent): many algorithms showed higher false positive rates for African American and Asian faces vs. Caucasian faces by factors of 10 to 100 depending on algorithm. CBP claims match rate above 98%.

GAO/IG Reports

  • GAO-20-568 (September 2020): CBP had not fully assessed effectiveness or ensured privacy protections
  • DHS OIG-20-28 (2020): concerns about data retention and accuracy metrics

DMV Facial Recognition

Scope

At least 43 states use facial recognition in DMV systems (as of 2022), primarily for fraud detection in license issuance.

Georgetown “The Perpetual Line-Up” (2016)

Roughly 1 in 2 American adults in a law enforcement facial recognition network, largely through DMV photos. FBI Facial Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation (FACE) Services unit had access to state DMV databases covering 640+ million photos.

FBI/ICE Access

Washington Post (2019) and subsequent congressional inquiry: ICE agents searched state DMV databases (Utah, Vermont, Washington) without individuals’ knowledge or consent. GAO-21-518 (2021): federal agencies used DMV photos extensively, often without clear legal frameworks.

Sources