US: Trump administration looking to face scans

If the Trump administration gets its way, US citizens boarding international flights will have to submit to a face scan, a plan privacy advocates call a step toward a surveillance state. The Department of Homeland Security says it’s the only way to successfully expand a programme that tracks non-immigrant foreigners. They have been required by law since 2004 to submit to biometric identity scans, but to date have only had their fingerprints and photos collected prior to entry. Now, DHS says it’s finally ready to implement face scans on departure, aimed mainly at better tracking visa overstays but also at tightening security. But, the agency says, US citizens must also be scanned for the programme to work. Privacy advocates say that oversteps Congress’ mandate. “Congress authorised scans of foreign nationals. DHS heard that and decided to scan everyone. That’s not how a democracy is supposed to work,” said Alvaro Bedoya, executive director of the Centre on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown University. Trials are underway at airports in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Kennedy Airport in New York City and Dulles in the Washington, DC. DHS aims to have high-volume US international airports engaged beginning next year. During the trials, passengers will be able to opt out. But a DHS assessment of the privacy impact indicates that won’t always be the case.<br/>