Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025
Sen. Merkley Leads Bipartisan Push to Limit TSA Facial Recognition at Airports
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- The bill stops the TSA from using facial recognition on most travelers unless they specifically agree to it. For people in programs like PreCheck or Global Entry, the TSA must clearly explain how their data is used and allow them to opt out at the security line without any penalty or extra wait time.
- For regular travelers not in special programs, the default would be checking a physical ID card. The TSA could only use facial scanning if a person "opts in" by giving clear, active permission. Simply standing in line or entering the airport does not count as giving permission.
- The TSA would be banned from using facial recognition for "passive surveillance," which means they couldn't use cameras to track or identify people as they walk through the airport. The technology could only be used at specific security checkpoints to verify who a person is.
- The bill sets strict limits on how long the government can keep your biometric data. Most facial images would have to be deleted immediately after identity is confirmed, or within 24 hours of a flight. Any old data that doesn't meet these new privacy rules would have to be deleted within 90 days.
- To ensure the technology is fair, the government would have to release yearly reports on how well it works. These reports must look for bias to see if the software is less accurate for certain groups based on their race, age, or gender.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
TSA employees and contractors will need to follow new, detailed procedures for handling facial recognition technology at checkpoints. This includes providing spoken announcements, managing opt-in/opt-out processes, ensuring non-discriminatory treatment for all choices, and complying with strict data deletion timelines. These new requirements add operational complexity but also provide clearer legal guidelines for how to handle passenger biometric data.
Disabilities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
6 articlesAirport Facial Recognition Technology Causing Major Debate in Washington
The Senate is weighing the Traveler Privacy Protection Act (S. 1691), which would limit TSA facial recognition to opt-in only. While privacy advocates cheer the bill, the airline industry warns it could slow down travel and jeopardize security as the TSA expands the tech to hundreds of airports.
Airline Industry Lobbies Against Bill That Would Restrict TSA Use Of Biometric Data
The airline industry is challenging the Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025, claiming it would slow down travel and jeopardize security. The bipartisan proposal, backed by Senators Merkley, Marshall, and Kennedy, aims to protect privacy by standardizing how biometric data is used.
Delta, United, & American Do Not Hold Back on TSA Changes
Major U.S. airlines are urging Senators to vote against the Traveler Privacy Protection Act. The bill would require TSA to provide an identity verification option without facial recognition and prohibit discriminatory treatment or extra wait times for those who choose to opt out.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(5)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.