Biometrics scanner catches impostor at U.S. airport on just third day of use

By Hillary K. Grigonis August 24, 2018

Artem Oleshko/Shutterstock

A biometric facial comparison system flagged a traveler using a fake passport — less than three days after the system was installed. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained a traveler earlier this week after the facial recognition system brought up an ID that didn’t match the man’s passport at the Washington Dulles International Airport.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old male was detained during the CBP’s primary inspections after arriving on a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The new biometric system, which is in early testing in 14 international U.S. airports, matched the man’s face to an identity different from the passport he presented. During further examination, CBP officers found the actual ID from the Republic of Congo in his shoe.

Related Videos

The traveler is the first caught by the new biometrics system, which uses facial recognition to speed up the process of moving travelers through customs while also aiding the CBP. The biometrics system has only been operating at that airport since August 20 and is used for both entry and exit for international flights. CBP says that the biometrics system is faster and more efficient while also increasing security.

“Facial recognition technology is an important step forward for CBP in protecting the United States from all types of threats,” Casey Durst, CBP’s director of the Baltimore field office, said in a press release. “Terrorists and criminals continually look for creative methods to enter the U.S. including using stolen genuine documents. The new facial recognition technology virtually eliminates the ability for someone to use a genuine document that was issued to someone else.”

The biometrics system is only in early adoption with around a dozen airports using the program. The CBP is using those early systems to consider expanding the use of biometrics, including using facial recognition instead of a boarding pass through security and boarding. Along with using biometrics within the process of going through customs, John F. Kennedy International Airport expanded testing to also include a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

CBP has not released the identity of the traveler using the fake passport and is continuing to investigate the incident. The border agency also says that the program limits personally identifiable information under privacy considerations while also using security safeguards.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Mobile

Gmail app hits 10 billion Play Store downloads, holds 53% of U.S. email market

Gmail app cover image.

Google launched Gmail on April 1, 2004, and in 2022, the service hit a new milestone, with 10 billion downloads on the Google Play Store -- a figure that represents 53% of the U.S. email market. This makes Gmail the fourth app on the Play Store to achieve this landmark; the first three were Google Play Services (a requirement for nearly all Android phones that use Google services), YouTube, and Google Maps.

As of January 11, the Google Play Store shows that Google Chrome and Google Search have also crossed the 10 billion downloads mark. Meanwhile, Google Photos is trailing a little behind, at over 5 billion downloads.

Mobile

FAA says 50 U.S. airports won’t get expanded 5G coverage until later in 2022

Three silhouetted passengers in airport waiting area with large airliner in background.

As AT&T and Verizon prepare to roll out their new midband 5G spectrum this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a list of 50 U.S. airports that the faster 5G coverage won’t be coming to — at least not right away.

Following several weeks of delays as the carriers and the aviation industry wrangled over potential safety issues, it looks like AT&T and Verizon are finally on track to begin the rollout of the new midband spectrum on January 19. While AT&T hasn’t yet outlined its specific plans for the new spectrum, Verizon has promised to use it to expand its 5G Ultra Wideband network to more than 100 million new customers across the U.S.

Mobile

HMD Global shows its serious about U.S. expansion with 5 new Nokia phones

HMD Global's range of new Nokia phones at CES 2022.

HMD Global has big plans for the U.S. market, and at CES 2022 it has revealed a new range of devices that cost less than $250, all coming out over the next months. Buoyed by LG and ZTE both leaving the U.S., it has struck lucrative deals with T-Mobile, Tracfone, Verizon, and other carriers to supply Nokia phones on pre-paid contracts, including low-cost feature phones.

To help achieve its ambitious targets in the U.S. for the coming year -- it's targeting number one in feature phones, and number three in pre-paid smartphones -- it has announced five new U.S. exclusive phones that will arrive during the first six months of the year. Top of the list is an affordable 5G phone, followed by three 4G phones, and a new feature phone with Kai OS software onboard.