Mary-Louise Hoffman
The Customs and Border Protection agency has collaborated with Unisys to implement facial scanner technology at John F. Kennedy International Airport in an effort to prevent U.S. entry of travelers with fake passports.
Unisys said Monday the system is designed to capture photos of travelers’ faces and seeks to help CBP personnel compare those facial images with electronic passport holders.
The technology will also work to scan biometric and biographic data of people entering the country through JFK airport, Unisys noted.
Amy Rall, group vice president for the homeland security practice at Unisys’ federal unit, said the company aims to help “make the country safer without disrupting travel or sacrificing travelers’ privacy.”
CBP has said the initial rollout will apply to returning U.S. ePassport holders as well as first-time Visa Waiver Program travelers.
The agency tested Unisys’ face recognition system at the Washington Dulles International Airport last year.
