DHS/TSA/PIA-046 Travel Document Checker Automation Using Facial Identification

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is expanding the use of facial identification technology to enhance the identity verification process at TSA checkpoints. TSA's proof of concept employs a Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) device equipped with a camera (referred to as CAT-2), along with biometric matching services provided by CBP's Traveler Verification Service (TVS), to verify the identities of certain travelers who opt-in during check-in at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in partnership with Delta Airlines. This PIA update reflects expanding this concept to additional locations and airlines, and that participating passengers will no longer be required to scan their identity document as part of the proof of concept.

Updated Note (November 28, 2023) In addition to the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) devices equipped with a camera (referred to as CAT-2) TSA has deployed for this proof of concept, TSA may also use alternate devices, such as tablets, in lieu of CAT-2 at some airports to test TSA’s capability to perform CAT-2 functions. These devices are configured to operate in the same way as CAT-2. There are no other updates to this Privacy Impact Assessment. The descriptions of the Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs), privacy risks, and mitigation measures are the same as published on November 22, 2022.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/TSA-001 Transportation Security Enforcement Record System (TSERS)
• DHS/TSA-019 Secure Flight Records