ThirdFactor | Two airports testing privately-run biometric security checks

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Following the closing down of companies trying to operate privately-run biometric security checkpoints in airports designed to increase the speed and ease with which regular travelers move through the airport, two airports are expecting new and similar programs, according to a New York Times article.

The airports in Denver and Indianapolis are getting programs run by AlClear, which purchased the assets of previous private checkpoint runner Clear, and iQueue respectively. In the case of Denver’s new program by AlClear, the company has agreed to honor the existing memberships from Clear for no charge and purge the information of those members who do not wish to continue on the program.

Some remain doubtful that such programs will work a second time around citing similar issues such as a lack of TSA involvement or support and the design of the programs being more for line-cutting than security enhancement. However, the possibility to rectify the lack of TSA involvement exists should legislation pending in Congress that directs the TSA to support new registered traveler programs for low-risk travelers be passed.

The TSA, however, which used to be involved in the background checks of earlier attempts at the private security check systems, is already involved in a similar, but public program called Global Entry. Global Entry, which is at 20 airports, is run by the Customs and Border Protection agency and allows for use of automated biometric kiosks in lieu of immigration lines for those that have previously submitted to a background check and are returning home to the United States.

Read the full story here.

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Two airports testing privately-run biometric security checks