Biometrics

A State Becomes the First to Suspend Facial Recognition Technology in Schools

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there are “serious and legitimate privacy concerns” with the technology—but only prohibited its use until 2022.

  • By Emma Coleman

CBP Should Halt Expansion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Program, Many Commenters Write

Advocacy groups and the City of Portland wrote the Homeland Security Department urging a full stop on expanding the use of facial recognition technologies. 

  • By Mila Jasper

DHS Works to Improve Biometric Scanning of Masked Faces

Almost 600 human volunteers participated in a recent technology evaluation.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Biometrics in Action

Federal agencies ramped up the use and scope of facial recognition tools in 2020, expanding programs to target more people and making significant technology upgrades.

  • By Nextgov Staff

Intel Agencies Seek to Perfect Biometric Recognition from Drones

Intelligence and military researchers want to merge facial recognition with other biometric methods to identify people from long distances and steep angles

  • By Aaron Boyd

Pentagon Clarifies Biometrics Database Can Move to Any Secure Cloud, Not Just AWS

While the performance work statement namechecks a specific cloud provider and product, a subsequent amendment and Q&A clarify the Pentagon’s true intent.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Lawmakers, Experts Split on CBP's Proposed Biometric System Advancement

Some experts see Customs and Border Protection’s proposed rulemaking expanding biometric entry-exit as the culmination of more than a decade of careful work. Others say the technology poses privacy concerns.

  • By Mila Jasper

CBP Proposes Eliminating Age Restrictions and Opt-Out Policies for Non-Citizen Biometric Data Collection

The new rule enables Customs and Border Protection to expand its biometric entry-exit program and changes other regulations along the way.

  • By Mila Jasper

Advisory Committee Recommends DHS Perform Better Outreach Regarding Biometrics Programs

The Homeland Security Advisory Council also said its request to review a controversial biometrics rule was never fulfilled.

  • By Mila Jasper

Army Considers Facial Recognition to Monitor Children in Its Care

The branch aims to pilot video surveillance and machine learning algorithms to see how they can help keep an eye on kids’ well-being in its child development centers.

  • By Brandi Vincent

How Government Agencies Can Use Tech to Safely Get Back to Their Workplaces

Now is the time to prioritize collaboration between the IT, physical security and human resources teams.

  • By Will Wise

Pentagon Will Move Primary Biometrics Systems to Amazon Cloud

The move means at least two of the government's biggest biometrics databases will live in AWS clouds.

  • By Aaron Boyd

DHS Biometrics Proposal Represents ‘Unacceptable Escalation of Government Surveillance,’ Senators Say

Five senators sent a letter urging the Homeland Security Department to abandon a proposal to expand its biometrics program.

  • By Mila Jasper

More than 5,000 Commenters Weigh in on DHS’ Proposal to Collect More Biometrics from Immigrants

Submissions opposing the rule expressed frustration over the abbreviated 30-day comment period.

  • By Mila Jasper

Featured eBooks

Biometrics in Action
The Future of Defense Networks
How the Cloud is Helping the Government’s Pandemic Response

CBP Launches Website to Promote Transparency Around Biometric Travel Program

Privacy advocates say they still want better privacy protections for the agency's Entry-Exit program.

  • By Mila Jasper

IG: CBP Responsible for 2019 Biometrics Breach, Though No Federal Networks Were Compromised

A ransomware attack on a Customs and Border Protection vendor leaked facial images on more than 184,000 travelers—something agency security and policy should have prevented.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Justice Wants to Add Facial Recognition to Marshals’ Smartphones

The service is looking for a software development kit to help it integrate biometrics tools with an app used to facilitate prisoner transfers.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Bill Would ‘Jumpstart’ Planning Process for Beefing up Border Security Tech

The bill, announced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would require the Homeland Security Department to develop a comprehensive border security technology strategy.

  • By Mila Jasper

City Ban on Business Use of Facial Recognition Tech Said to Be a First

Elected leaders in Portland, Oregon approved the measure this week.

  • By Bill Lucia

New Pentagon Initiative Aims to Help Allies, Contractors Work Together on AI

New tools are planned to help various militaries and defense companies cooperate and interoperate on artificial intelligence.

  • By Patrick Tucker

GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions

The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”

  • By Aaron Boyd