U.S. Customs and Border Protection met yesterday with\nleading privacy experts to discuss CBP\u2019s implementation of the Congressional\nbiometric entry-exit mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting was the third in an ongoing series of discussions\nabout measures that CBP is taking to protect traveler privacy during the\nbiometric facial comparison process at U.S. ports of entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCBP is committed to keeping the public informed about\nour use of facial comparison technology,\u201d said John Wagner, Deputy Executive\nAssistant Commissioner of the CBP Office of Field Operations. \u201cWe are\nimplementing a biometric entry-exit system that protects the privacy of all\ntravelers while making travel more secure and convenient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBP\u2019s discussions with Congress, privacy groups and\nindustry stakeholders have already yielded important results for the biometric\nfacial comparison process. Among other measures, CBP has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Reduced the\nmaximum retention period for new photos of U.S. citizens from 14 days to 12\nhours;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Established\nstringent business requirements that ensure that airlines and other partners do\nnot retain traveler photos for their own business purposes;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Worked with\nbusiness partners to provide travelers with sufficient privacy notice by\nenhancing signage and announcements at departure gates; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n