Germany: Bundesrat approves biometric airport processing with facial recognition (heise.de)

• Bundesrat approves law for digital airport processing
• Voluntary use for passengers
• Photo taken initially, then facial recognition for checkpoints
• Border controls exempted
• Data deleted 3 hours after departure
• Estimated savings: 1.1 million hours, €63 million per year

"Germany's upper house has approved a law allowing airports to use facial recognition for a fully digital passenger processing. The system is voluntary and involves creating a photo at the start, then using it for check-in, baggage, security, and boarding, excluding border police checks. Data from EU citizens and some non-EU countries are registered once and deleted three hours after departure. The transport ministry estimates it will save 1.1 million hours of waiting time and 63 million euros annually. Pilot projects are underway at Berlin airport and Lufthansa for US travelers."