5 chapters across the catalog
HR 2 Surveillance Technology, Biometric Collection, E-Verify
The Secure the Border Act (HR 2) contains provisions for massive technological upgrades, including VADER radar, seismic acoustic detection, and expanded drone use. The bill also seeks to legalize biometric data collection for all domestic air travelers and mandates the use of the E-Verify system for all US employers.
The European Union announces the 2020 launch of the ETIAS (EU Travel Information and Authorization System), requiring all eligible travelers to obtain online approval before departure. The system will use biometric data and security databases to screen for criminal threats and terrorists across 22 member countries.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano's promotion of "Trusted Traveler" programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck is scrutinized. The hosts argue that these programs are primarily about collecting biometric data rather than increasing safety. They question the logic of intense security screenings for American citizens who have already landed and exited an aircraft.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) continues to find vulnerabilities in U.S. transportation security, including failures to detect explosives in passenger luggage. Thomas Kean advocated for the full implementation of the REAL ID Act and comprehensive biometric entry and exit systems to track foreign nationals.
Biometric Border Control and RFID Passports
Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands is implementing new biometric kiosks that scan RFID passports and take photographs of travelers. The hosts note that while presented as a convenience, these systems are becoming mandatory for international travel. They describe the increasing use of webcams and fingerprinting at borders as the expansion of "Gitmo Nation" surveillance.
