Facial recognition kiosks installed at Ottawa International Airport

Passengers arriving on international flights to Canada’s Ottawa International Airport will have the option of using a self-serve facial recognition-based kiosk to expedite the arrival process, according to a report by the CBC.

It was reported earlier this month that several Canadian airports would be implementing facial recognition technology in spring as part of Canada Border Services Agency’s new traveller screening program.

The primary inspection kiosks verify a traveler’s identity by capturing a photo and comparing it to their passport image.

Travelers can then choose between completing an on-screen declaration at the kiosk, or using the newly launched mobile app to fill out the declaration information before they land.

Passengers can scan their phone at a kiosk before advancing on to baggage claim. Meanwhile, NEXUS members will not be able to use the app but can use the NEXUS kiosks

Customs and Immigration Union president Jean-Pierre Fortin said the agency’s 10,000 frontline customs and border agents will receive 18 weeks of intensive training.

“They’re looking for tons of things: your attitude in general, are you nervous… It’s a bunch of factors that machines will never be able to detect,” Fortin,said. “They develop these skills actually to make sure that they’re stopping the people that they think there’s something wrong with.”

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said on its website that the kiosks are secure and only store non-sensitive information.

Article Topics

airport biometrics  |  biometric authentication  |  biometrics  |  Canada  |  facial recognition  |  kiosk