The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Inspector General (IG) has announced an audit into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) expanding use of facial recognition technology following a formal request from Senator Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers. The audit aims to evaluate whether TSA’s biometric screening system enhances security while safeguarding passenger privacy.

However, the investigation itself is now facing scrutiny, as critics question whether Inspector General Joseph Cuffari – who has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of withholding critical oversight reports – can be trusted to conduct a thorough and unbiased review.