Many have asked how CBP landed on facial biometrics as the ideal technology path to a more seamless travel experience. It wasn’t an overnight decision.
We found collecting facial images is easy for both travelers and CBP Officers. The technology is intuitive and hassle-free, with traveler identity matches made quickly. The fact that mobile device
users now have the option to use biometrics to unlock their phones also helped shape our decision.
CBP is leading the transformation of the travel experience, but we could never do this alone. Our airline industry and technology partners are playing a critical role. To date, CBP has demonstrated the facial matching service at ports from Virginia to Vegas to Miami. Our pilot programs with Delta, Jet Blue, British Airways, and partnerships with Royal Caribbean and others have opened doors and eyes to a range of possibilities. Collectively, CBP and our partners are making history and delivering clear and undeniable benefits to travelers.
CBP is fully committed to meeting existing privacy laws and regulations, and to protecting traveler privacy and data. CBP’s biometric matching service is hosted in a secure cloud-based environment and does not store the biographic data for any travelers. Traveler photos are transmitted and used for identity verification purposes only. Only CBP has access to this biometric data. No personally identifiable information associated with biometrics is ever shared with our industry partners during or after the “match/no match” determination.
At this time, CBP does not require U.S. Citizens to have their photos captured when entering or exiting the country. U.S. Citizens who request not to participate in this biometric collection process may notify a CBP Officer or an airline or airport representative in order to seek an alternative means of verifying their identity and documents.
If you would like to read more regarding what CBP is doing to protect your privacy, please click here.
CBP is leading the transformation of the travel experience, but we could never do this alone. Our airline industry and technology partners are playing a critical role. To date, CBP has demonstrated the facial matching service at ports from Virginia to Vegas to Miami. Our pilot programs with Delta, Jet Blue, British Airways, and partnerships with Royal Caribbean and others have opened doors and eyes to a range of possibilities. Collectively, CBP and our partners are making history and delivering clear and undeniable benefits to travelers.
CBP is fully committed to meeting existing privacy laws and regulations, and to protecting traveler privacy and data. CBP’s biometric matching service is hosted in a secure cloud-based environment and does not store the biographic data for any travelers. Traveler photos are transmitted and used for identity verification purposes only. Only CBP has access to this biometric data. No personally identifiable information associated with biometrics is ever shared with our industry partners during or after the “match/no match” determination.
At this time, CBP does not require U.S. Citizens to have their photos captured when entering or exiting the country. U.S. Citizens who request not to participate in this biometric collection process may notify a CBP Officer or an airline or airport representative in order to seek an alternative means of verifying their identity and documents.
If you would like to read more regarding what CBP is doing to protect your privacy, please click here.
