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CBP, cruise line initiate facial biometrics effort

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has joined Carnival Cruise Line in launching facial biometric comparison technology for closed-loop cruises.

The Port of Jacksonville, Fla., is the latest seaport to further secure and enhance the debarkation process.

“CBP and Carnival are innovating the cruise debarkation process through the use of facial biometrics to provide travelers a secure, touchless process to verify identity while enhancing the customer experience,” CBP Director of Field Operations for the Miami and Tampa Field Office Vernon Foret said. “In addition, CBP and our cruise partners are expanding data sharing agreements to further strengthen the maritime environment.”

According to CBP, upon debarkation, passengers pause for a photo, which is then compared to the traveler’s existing passport or visa photo in DHS’s secure systems to automate the identity verification process.

The enhanced facial biometrics process verifies the traveler’s identity within two seconds with more than 98 percent accuracy. After a confirmed match, passengers collect their baggage, proceed through inspections, and exit the terminal.

Domestic travelers and select foreign nationals can opt out of the facial biometric process and request a manual document check from a CBP officer, consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.

Presently facial biometric comparison technology is utilized at 17 seaports nationwide.

Douglas Clark

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