Item No. 8a _ supp
Meeting Date: March 10, 2020

Biometric Air Exit Policies and
Project Authorization

Commission Biometrics Principles & Progress
Outlined seven (7) principles for public-facing biometrics at Port facilities
Directed staff to put a hold on new or expanded uses of biometrics at Port facilities until
policies are adopted
Staff is developing five "use case" policy recommendations:
o Biometric Air Exit (drafted, vetted)
o Biometric Air and Cruise Entry (drafted, not yet vetted)
o Non-Federal Biometric Passenger Processing (drafted, not yet vetted)
o Biometrics for Customer Functions
o Biometrics for Law Enforcement and Security Functions


2

What is Biometric Exit?
1.     CBP has begun implementing its biometric exit
program through its development of the Traveler
Verification Service (TVS), a system of related
databases hosted by CBP, containing the
biometric facial recognition "template" of
individuals that are ticketed on international
flights, such as from passport or visa application
photos.
2.     Airports and airlines are not currently mandated
to participate in CBP's biometric air exit program
(two dozen airports have already). Authorized
users of TVS are required by CBP to comply with a
set of business requirements.
3.     If an airport or airline does not choose to partner
with CBP to implement biometric air exit, CBP has
authority to implement the program using its own
staff and equipment at any international air
departure gate. This is already occurring at SEA on
certain departing Lufthansa, Hainan, Emirates and
Virgin Atlantic flights.

3

Does Biometric Air Exit Meet Commission Biometric Principles?
Yes, if Port policies are complied with (see Appendix)
Principle                                             Biometric Air Exit
Justified                             Identity verification is a standard customs and border protection process;
biometric air exit automates it
Voluntary                        Any traveler can opt-out; Port can ensure they're informed of this right
Private                             CBP has extensive privacy policies; airports/airlines must follow them
Equitable                         CBP's TVS algorithm top rated by NIST for accuracy; Port can set training
standards
Transparent                      CBP has messaging; Port can enhance
Lawful                          Extensive Congressional mandates for biometric air exit; CBP/airport/airlines
required to follow all relevant laws
Ethical                              Port can oversee and support ethical behavior

4

Requesting Commission Authorization
Biometric Air Exit System at up to 30 international departure
gates (only in place/use for international departures)
System must fully align with Biometric Air Exit Policies
Authorization includes:
Hardware, software and vendor
implementation services
Port staff for construction and
implementation
South Sat.
Contract for up to 10 years for                                                A Concourse
license, service, and maintenance
Total project cost is $5,715,000
5

Biometric Air Exit Solution
RFP requires full alignment with Biometric Principles & Biometric Air
Exit Policies
Selected product requires mandatory compliance with:
Port of Seattle's Biometric Air Exit Policy and Biometric Principles
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Biometric Air Exit Business Requirements
Traveler Verification Services Technical Reference Guide  Identify API
Traveler Verification Services Technical Reference Guide  Authentication API
Privacy Impact Assessment for the Traveler Verification Service
Port of Seattle Technology & Cyber-security standards including the Port of
Seattle's Software as a Service Survey for cloud-based solutions

6

Planned Schedule
Advertise                   Award
RFP                 Contract
Evaluation                          Airline Coordination and Training

Q1           Q2           Q3           Q4           Q1           Q2
2020           2020           2020           2020           2021           2021

Biometric Air Exit
Policy Implemented                                       Installation and Signage
Design, Configuration,
and Test

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Questions?



8

Biometric Air Exit Policies as proposed, Part 1
Justified      Aviation Director approves all applications that do not require Commission authorization.
Aviation Director must first notify the Port Executive Director and the Port Commission.
The Managing Director should seek feedback from the Technology Ethical Advisory Board.
If the Port implements a common use biometric air exit solution, it must be used for all
departing international flights at SEA.
Voluntary  The Port should develop standards/guidelines for avoiding unintended image capture.
The Port should design training standards for avoiding unintended capture.
Privacy     The Port should seek clarification on whether transmission of biometric data is exempt from
state public disclosure requirements.
All transmission of biometric data should meet CBP's Biometric Air Exit Requirements
regarding encryption and other security standards, retention/deletion standards, and
unauthorized use/access standards.


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Biometric Air Exit Policies as proposed, Part 2
Equitable     The Port should request updated accuracy rates from CBP.
The Port should develop training standards for collecting and processing biometric data.
Transparent   The Port should develop a comprehensive communications plan, and produce an annual
accountability report.
The Port should periodically conduct its own performance evaluation to verify CBP's audit
results and ensure that airline staff are following all Port policies.
Lawful        The Port and airlines must comply with all state and federal laws including privacy and
discrimination laws.
The Port should advocate for state and federal laws and regulations that codify the goals of
the Port's biometric principles.
Ethical         The Port should develop an engagement plan to educate local immigrant and refugee
communities about the biometric air exit program.
The Port should inform local immigrant and refugee communities about resources for sharing
concerns/complaints.
The Port should form a Technology Ethical Advisory Board.

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