TSA seeks to leverage biometric technology to automate the identity verification process to enhance security effectiveness, improve operational efficiency, and streamline the passenger experience, while protecting privacy. TSA’s exploration of biometric technology comes at an ideal time to capitalize on technological advancements in biometric system accuracy, speed, and ability to automate high-throughput operations.
With improvements in biometric technology for identity verification, TSA is evaluating the operational, security, and privacy impacts of using biometrics to verify identity instead of manual identity document (ID) checks. Using biometrics promises to improve aviation security by modernizing aviation passenger identity verification over the coming years.
TSA began testing biometric solutions for identity verification purposes in 2015 and continues to test biometric solutions to increase security effectiveness while also improving operational efficiency and the passenger experience.
Passenger participation in TSA’s biometric technology tests is voluntary. You may notify a TSA officer if you prefer a manual ID check.
Please visit the links below for additional information on TSA’s biometric technology.
- TSA Biometrics Roadmap: Outlines TSA’s plans to transform aviation security operations using biometric technology through four key goals: partnering on biometrics for international travelers, operationalize biometrics for TSA PreCheck®, expand biometrics to additional domestic travelers, and associated objectives, and guiding principles to include security and operational effectiveness, privacy, and cybersecurity.
- Identity Management Roadmap: Builds upon the success of the TSA Biometrics Roadmap and articulates a comprehensive end-to-end strategy for Identity Management at TSA. Identity Management is critical to TSA’s mission as it ensures the right people have access to the right transportation infrastructure areas at the right time.
- TSA Myth Busters: Highlights myths and facts regarding TSA’s biometric technology efforts.
- TSA and CBP’s report to Congress on biometric deployment: Describes TSA and CBP development and implementation of biometric technology.
- TSA Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): Identify and mitigate privacy risks that notifies the public what personally identifiable information (PII) is being collected, and how it is collected, used, accessed, shared, and safeguarded during the use of biometric technologies.
- TSA-CBP Biometric Technology Pilot for Trust Travelers: Available at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- Digital Identity Phased Rollout: Available at select airport checkpoints.