SEATTLE – The Port of Seattle continued its efforts to lead the development of biometric policies and procedures that emphasize travelers’ privacy and civil liberties, while ensuring a safe, respectful, and efficient customer experience for those passengers departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on international flights.
Following months of engagement with the aviation industry, federal officials, and civil liberties groups, the Commission today directed staff to implement new policies governing the implementation of “Biometric Air Exit” at SEA.
Biometric air exit is a federally regulated program that uses facial recognition to confirm the identities of departing international passengers at the boarding gate. All departing international passengers, U.S. citizen or foreign national, have the right to opt out of biometric processing and request manual screening to confirm their identity. Because of its voluntary and one-to-one nature, biometric air exit complies with the Port’s prohibition against mass surveillance using facial recognition technology.
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About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle’s mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Fishermen’s Terminal—home of the North Pacific fishing fleet—and public marinas. The Port also owns two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port operations help support nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 17 years, the port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port. Learn more at www.portseattle.org.
