The tech website reports that:

"Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is moving to fuse its touchless identity experiments with a broader shift toward privatized, technology-heavy airport screening. The effort merges cutting-edge biometric screening trials with a reimagining of how security at U.S. airports is staffed and managed."

In July, TSA issued a Request for Information under its Screening Partnership Program (SPP) seeking input from private-sector companies capable of delivering fully integrated, turnkey biometrics and digital ID screening solutions.

The federal "partners" program allows airports to hire private companies to perform security screening under TSA oversight.

It also means that your personal biometric data will end up in the hands of multiple federal contractors, along with the government.

Until now, Biometric Update notes that the Screening Partnership Program has been a niche option used by a handful of small- to medium-sized airports to outsource screening personnel while following the same federal protocols as TSA-run checkpoints.

But the new TSA proposal envisions private-sector partners supplying not just personnel, but integrating and operating a full suite of advanced biometric security technologies in unified, turnkey screening lanes.

The website writes:

"This vision dovetails with TSA's ongoing PreCheck Touchless ID pilot, a program designed to replace traditional ID checks with biometric facial recognition for eligible travelers."

Now in operation at 14 U.S. airports, the program partners with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

In July, the article notes that Denver International Airport became the latest to add dedicated touchless lanes. TSA says in an explanatory video on its website that, "No need to show physical ID or a boarding pass. Just your face gets you through."