Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (8 May 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025 would restrict how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses facial recognition and facial matching technology at airport security checkpoints. It would generally bar TSA from capturing, collecting, storing, or processing passengers' biometric information, except in specific circumstances. Passengers enrolled in Trusted Traveler Programs (such as Global Entry or PreCheck) would be able to opt out of facial recognition, while other passengers would have to affirmatively opt in before the technology could be used on them; in both cases, TSA would need to give clear notice and could not penalize passengers who decline. The bill also sets limits on how long biometric data can be stored, restricts data-sharing outside TSA, prohibits using facial recognition for surveillance or tracking beyond identity verification, requires disposal of certain previously collected biometric data, and directs the Government Accountability Office to produce annual reports assessing the technology's effectiveness, error rates, and potential bias.
The bill primarily affects air travelers passing through TSA checkpoints, TSA itself, and airport/airline operations tied to identity verification and trusted traveler enrollment. It aims to give travelers more control over whether their facial biometric data is used and to limit government retention and sharing of that data.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 8, 2025, by Senator Jeff Merkley with several cosponsors from both parties, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the Senate, the House, and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
8 May 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 1691 do?
- The Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025 would restrict how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses facial recognition and facial matching technology at airport security checkpoints. It would generally bar TSA from capturing, collecting, storing, or processing passengers' biometric information, except in specific circumstances. Passengers enrolled in Trusted Traveler Programs (such as Global Entry or PreCheck) would be able to opt out of facial recognition, while other passengers would have to affirmatively opt in before the technology could be used on them; in both cases, TSA would need to give clear notice and could not penalize passengers who decline. The bill also sets limits on how long biometric data can be stored, restricts data-sharing outside TSA, prohibits using facial recognition for surveillance or tracking beyond identity verification, requires disposal of certain previously collected biometric data, and directs the Government Accountability Office to produce annual reports assessing the technology's effectiveness, error rates, and potential bias. The bill primarily affects air travelers passing through TSA checkpoints, TSA itself, and airport/airline operations tied to identity verification and trusted traveler enrollment. It aims to give travelers more control over whether their facial biometric data is used and to limit government retention and sharing of that data. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 8, 2025, by Senator Jeff Merkley with several cosponsors from both parties, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the Senate, the House, and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has S. 1691 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1691. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1691?
- S. 1691 was sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1691?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (8 May 2025).
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More bills from Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
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