BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in Thursday that it has started to use facial biometric testing in select vehicle lanes at the Peace Bridge for travelers coming into the United States.
The agency said the Lanes 14, 15, and 16 will be clearly labeled as "biometric" and that travelers can opt out by using a lane that is not labeled as such. Testing will run through March of 2025.
"As travelers approach the vehicle lanes, the camera will attempt to take a photo of each occupant in the vehicle and match it to photos of those travelers already in government holdings, such as passport, visa, or prior encounters, to verify identity," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.
The agency said it has tested the biometric technology at in the vehicle lanes at the Southwest border, starting in Anzalduas, Texas, in 2018, and most recently expanding this past summer to in Nogales, Ariz.
"The test in Buffalo will give CBP an opportunity to assess how the facial biometric technology performs in a challenging winter environment," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
Citing privacy concerns, citizens who use the biometric lanes will have their photos deleted within 12 hours.
"CBP is excited to continue testing a range of facial biometric technologies and configurations in the vehicle lanes at the land borders to further innovate the entry process," Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations, said in a statement.
"To support our land border mission, we are challenging industry to design the optimal solution for our most demanding environment as we further secure and streamline travel."