Warren Shepell encountered a disturbing incident while boarding his flight from Cleveland back to Toronto this month. Before boarding the plane, he was approached by two uniformed officers on the boarding ramp, and one of them took his photo without explanation. Shepell, a well-known Canadian psychologist, felt caught off guard and violated by the unexpected action.
This practice of photographing Canadian travelers while in transit is part of a broader initiative by the United States to capture images of individuals entering and exiting the country through various transportation modes. For almost ten years, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has utilized facial biometrics to verify the identities of international passengers arriving at U.S. airports. This process involves photographing travelers and utilizing biometric facial comparison technology to confirm their identity.
Now, CBP is expanding its program to include capturing images of departing passengers at all international U.S. airports and also intends to photograph travelers entering and exiting the country at sea ports and land borders. The agency aims to have facial biometric technology fully operational at land borders by next year and expects complete implementation at sea ports and airports within the next three to five years.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced a new rule that mandates non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, to participate in the facial biometrics program. Despite concerns raised by privacy experts about potential misuse of the technology, CBP emphasizes that the program is intended to enhance security, enforce immigration laws, and ensure accurate records.
While CBP reassures travelers of its commitment to privacy and safeguards travelers’ data, critics express apprehension about the lack of federal laws regulating facial biometrics in the U.S. and the potential for misuse of personal information. As the implementation of the program progresses, some travelers like Shepell are reconsidering travel plans due to these privacy concerns and the perceived impact on tourism to the U.S.
The debate surrounding the use of facial biometrics continues, with proponents highlighting its efficiency and security benefits, while critics raise questions about privacy and potential misuse of personal data. The evolving landscape of travel security measures underscores the importance of balancing security needs with individual privacy rights.
