(Ottawa) Travelers entering Canada could use facial recognition technology on their smartphones to identify themselves when crossing the border under a federal project.
The Canada Border Services Agency said the initiative would enable a smoother and faster travel experience.
The federal government has issued a notice seeking technical solutions from potential suppliers, a proposal that could be worth up to US$25 million.
The system would match a traveler’s passport photo with a selfie taken via a mobile device.
It will be another two to four years before a pilot project is implemented, but an Ottawa-based civil liberties coalition is already expressing concerns about privacy and government accountability.
The border agency says it guarantees travelers’ privacy and adds that their information is protected at all times.