Biometrics

Inside the CBP-Built ‘Backbone’ of Atlanta’s Biometric Terminal

An executive agency conducting a comprehensive assessment of the technology’s use in aviation security detailed its recent review of America’s first fully biometric terminal—and the service it runs on.

  • By Brandi Vincent

CBP Expands Facial Recognition for Global Entry Travelers

The technology is already being used at 15 airports—including three abroad—to speed pre-approved travelers through the customs process.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Lawmakers Working on Legislation to ‘Pause’ Use of Facial Recognition Technology

Details on the bill remain scarce, though lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday expressed interest in halting the use of facial recognition until the tech can be brought under control.

  • By Aaron Boyd

AI Can Now Read Emotions—Should It?

These systems can give incorrect results just like any other form of intelligence.

  • By Christoffer Heckman, The Conversation

Justice Department Needs Counter-Biometric Experts

The U.S. Marshals Service wants to learn more about the market for counter-biometric expertise, including evading the tech and preventing criminals from doing the same.

  • By Aaron Boyd

DHS Kicks Off DNA Collection Program for Some Detainees at Border

Border agencies will send samples to the FBI’s databases for indefinite storage.

  • By Frank Konkel

Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report

A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Facial Recognition Deployments in Public Housing

In a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, democrats from both chambers raised concerns about threats to residents’ privacy.

  • By Brandi Vincent

NIST Launches Biometric Databases to Boost Identity Verification Research

The rollout marks the beginning of “what is intended to be an expanding collection of biometric resources.”

  • By Brandi Vincent

New York Just Set a ‘Dangerous Precedent’ on Algorithms, Experts Warn

NYC’s task force on algorithms was supposed to be a beacon of transparent government. It couldn’t even gain access to basic information.

  • By Kate Kaye , CityLab

Bill Would Constrain Some Police Use of Facial-Recognition Tools

A 72-hour limit on tracking individuals would become the first, and somewhat arbitrary, federal line in the sand.

  • By Patrick Tucker, Defense One

Customs Reverses Course on Mandatory Facial Scans for U.S. Citizens

After criticism from Congress and privacy advocates, the border security agency says it will pull back a proposed rule change.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Fingerprint Login Should Be a Secure Defense for Our Data, But Most of Us Don't Use It Properly

Most users remain unaware of its initial purpose.

  • By Nalin Asanka Gamagedara Arachchilage, The Conversation

CBP Starts Process to Include U.S. Citizens in Facial Recognition Program

A proposed rule change would no longer allow citizens and green card holders to opt-out of Customs and Border Protection’s biometrics program.

  • By Aaron Boyd

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Lawmakers Propose Bill Limiting Government's Use of Facial Recognition

The legislation would require law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before conducting facial recognition surveillance.

  • By Jack Corrigan

DHS Wants Self-Service Stations for Airport Security

The tech would allow passengers to screen themselves and skip lengthy lines at today’s security checkpoints.

  • By Jack Corrigan

Did Body Cameras Backfire?

Body cameras were supposed to fix a broken system. What happened?

  • By Sidney Fussell, The Atlantic

Silicon Valley Rep Calls For Task Force, Legislation on Government Use of Biometrics

Rep. Ro Khanna said Congress should dictate exactly how federal agencies use technologies like facial recognition. But first, the legislative body needs to get properly educated.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Justice to Require DNA Sampling of Nearly All Detained Migrants

Once collected, the samples will be moved into the FBI’s massive DNA database. 

  • By Brandi Vincent

Lawmaker: TSA Should Halt Facial Recognition Programs Absent Formal Policies

The agency said it is working on those policies while the technology is tested through pilot programs.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Border Patrol Agents Might Get Body Cameras to Record Interactions With the Public

The agency is also interested in learning how body cameras could be integrated with its facial recognition program.

  • By Aaron Boyd