Homeland Security Takes Back Its Plans of Facial Recognition for US Citizens

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking back its decision to implement a policy that would require all US citizens to undergo facial recognition scans while entering or leaving the US. The policy was introduced last week and required US citizens to have their faces scanned and added to a biometric database. 

Now, the US citizens will not be required to participate in facial recognition scans at airports with DHS retracting the policy. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) said on Wednesday that the reversal in policy was the result of conversations with ‘privacy experts’, lawmakers and travel-industry stakeholders. 

John Wagner, a Border Patrol said in a statement, “CBP is committed to keeping the public informed about our use of facial comparison technology. We are implementing a biometric entry-exit system that protects the privacy of all travelers while making travel more secure and convenient.”

Non-US citizens are already required to undergo facial recognition scans when entering the United States. When it was announced last week that CBP would require US citizens to go through facial recognition scans as well, the proposed rule was met with backlash from privacy and human rights advocates. 

American Civil Liberties Union analyst, Jay Stanley, said in a statement, 

“This proposal never should have been issued, and it is positive that the government is withdrawing it after growing opposition from the public and lawmakers.” 

The full statement regarding the rule reversal can be read here.