Digital recordings of meeting proceedings and meeting materials are available online – www.portseattle.org.
APPROVED MINUTES
COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
The Port of Seattle Commission held a special meeting, Tuesday, September 10, 2019, in
commission chambers at Port of Seattle offices, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington.
Commissioners Bowman, Calkins, Felleman, and Gregoire were present. Commissioner Steinbrueck
was present after 9:22 a.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Commission President Stephanie Bowman, who led
the flag salute.
2. OPENING REMARKS
Commissioner Bowman welcomed the study session participants and members of the public and
introduced the topic of focus for the study session: biometric technology. She acknowledged both
operational efficiencies provided by use of technologies such as facial recognition and privacy
concerns associated with many forms of biometric identification.
Executive Director Metruck introduced the panel participants.
3. PANEL DISCUSSION: SETTING THE STAGE
Presentation document(s) included an agenda memorandum. Presentation slides were provided at
the time of the meeting and are attached as minutes Exhibit A. A Microsoft Transparency Note was
provided at the time of the meeting and is attached as minutes Exhibit B.
Presenter(s): Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations, Port
of Seattle; Jacquelyn Krones, Principal Ethics Strategist, Microsoft Corporation.
Ms. Krones described how biometric identification technology works and explained the factors
affecting accuracy of biometric data matches. She noted the need to have a large pool of data to
improve match accuracy, which often requires overrepresentation of very small groups within the
population in the data set. Enrollment of multiple photos of an individual generates a more reliable
template to perform digital facial recognition. The template is compared to the “probe” photo taken
at the time of the attempt to identify the individual, such as a photo that might be taken of a passenger
as part of the security clearance process. A match score between zero and one is generated based
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, Washington 98111
www.portseattle.org
206.787.3000
PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 4
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
September 10, 2019, study session minutes submitted for review November 6, 2019, and proposed for approval November 12, 2019.
on a mathematically reduced comparison of the template and probe photo, and the threshold of the
match score to be considered a match between the two is set by the system owner. The higher the
match score, the closer the match.
The importance of public audits to influence the broadest possible pool of template photos was
discussed. It was explained that a lack of underrepresented features in the template pool can make
it harder to return a positive match for some groups within the population, such as women with dark
complexion.
Research indicates that combining technology and human observation returns a better result than
use of technology alone. The factors that contribute to false positive matches, where a match is
identified but should not be, and false negative matches, where a match is denied but should not
have been, were discussed. It was noted that human observation limits the risk of false negatives.
Commissioners asked about factors in facial recognition data to consider for audit purposes, such
as complexion, gender-related features, age, non-complexion racial characteristics, etc. They
commented on the importance of hearing from those subject to and those using the biometric
technology when considering policy implications. They asked how the technology accounts for
circumstances of transgender people, identical twins, or those using cultural or religious coverings.
Commissioners commented on the need to identify the principles that would apply to a public facility
that is not in control of the biometric data collected. They asked about the informed consent and opt-
out processes for passengers subject to facial recognition and noted concerns about potential
tracking of individuals without due process.
4. PANEL DISCUSSION: CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVES
Presentation document(s) included a Delta Biometrics Overview provided at the time of the meeting
that is attached as minutes Exhibit C.
Presenter(s): Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations, Port
of Seattle; Jason Hausner, Director for Passenger Facilitation, Delta Air Lines; Gregory Forbes,
Above Wing Field Support, Delta Air Lines; and Ben Atherly, Director, Port Operations, Holland
America Group.
It was reported that Delta Air Lines is eager to deploy facial recognition technology at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport in line with their strategic objectives. The scope of Delta’s biometric solution
includes use of self-service kiosks, full-service counters, and use of biometric identification at TSA
checkpoints and boarding gates. Images captured are transmitted to Customs and Border
Protection’s data cloud as a gallery of those on a certain flight for whom images are associated with
a lengthy alphanumeric unit identification code. It was reported that this code is associated with the
individual only for a specific one-direction trip. The voluntary nature of Delta’s program, its privacy
provisions, and the security of the wireless network were discussed.
Commissioners asked about the data sharing agreement between Delta and CBP, access to the
data by other enforcement agencies, and the use limitations on biometric identification data by the
PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 4
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
September 10, 2019, study session minutes submitted for review November 6, 2019, and proposed for approval November 12, 2019.
publicly owned Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. They inquired about how failed
matches are handled and about other airports where the technology is deployed.
Although use of biometric identification is proposed only for international flights, Delta acknowledged
interest in applying to domestic flights. Commissioners asked about the motivation for the program,
which was described as an improvement for passenger throughput, customer experience, and safety
and security at checkpoints and gates since agents can focus on the passenger rather than the
passenger’s paperwork.
The application of biometric identification by cruise lines was discussed. Similar factors were
considered related to mechanics of collecting data, data security, anticipated benefits, opting out,
and data-sharing agreements as for airline use. Holland America is not currently employing facial
recognition but is considering it.
5. PANEL DISCUSSION: AIRPORT PERSPECTIVES
Presentation document(s) included presentation slides provided at the time of the meeting and which
are attached as minutes Exhibit D.
Presenter(s): Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations, Port
of Seattle; Stephanie K. Gupta, Senior Vice President, Security and Facilitation, American
Association of Airport Executives; and Pete Pelletier, Assistant Director for Information Technology,
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Commissioners were presented with the background of the Orlando International Airport’s biometric
identification system, focused on security, capacity, and customer service. Customs and Border
Protection’s first legislative mandate for an automated identity check on departing foreign visitors
dates to the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. CBP plans to
implement facial recognition on exit for international air travel by 2022. Orlando International is
working toward becoming the first U.S. airport to use biometric identification technology to expedite
entry and exit of international passengers. Significant boarding-time and wait-time reductions have
resulted from early use of technology.
Factors discussed included technology and data considerations, retention of data, advantages and
disadvantages to use of the system, and arguments related to use of the system on U.S. citizens.
Commissioners asked about responses from advocacy groups and degree of resistance from any
U.S. airports. They inquired about standardized signage for informed consent. Commissioners asked
for more information about the handling of identification data and vulnerability to sharing prior to
deletion.
6. PANEL DISCUSSION: COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES
There were no presentation documents provided.
PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 4
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
September 10, 2019, study session minutes submitted for review November 6, 2019, and proposed for approval November 12, 2019.
Presenter(s): Eric Schinfeld, Senior Manager, Federal and International Government Relations, Port
of Seattle; Rich Stoltz, Executive Director, OneAmerica; and Shankar Narayan, Technology and
Liberty Project Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.
The commission received an assessment of potential impacts to immigrant, refugee, and minority
communities of implementation of biometric identification technology. It was recommended the port
plan to ensure access to legal representation for passengers in a neutral space not controlled by
Customs and Border Protection once biometric technology is deployed. Use of an opt-in approach
to facial recognition and informed consent were recommended. Issues surrounding retention and
use of biometric data were discussed. Commissioners asked whether it was possible that use of
biometric technology might make the security process less prone to bias or profiling. The rate of
failed matches for minorities, especially women of color, was noted. Opportunity for surveillance use
of the technology is a concern for some communities. Commissioners asked about considerations
for collection of biometric data in more public parts of the airport, such as pre-security areas. There
was a discussion of security risk associated with compromised biometric data.
7. CLOSING COMMENTS
Commissioners commented on the urgency to identify guiding principles for deployment of biometric
identification technology before Delta Air Lines implements its program at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Prepared: Attest:
Paul J. White, Commission Clerk Peter Steinbrueck, Commission Secretary
Minutes approved: November 12, 2019.
