AVIATION SECURITY - TSA Could Better Ensure Detection and Assess the Potential for Discrimination in Its Screening Technologies

Sep 18, 2026

Statement of Tina Won Sherman to the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security’s subcommittee on transportation and maritime security on TSA aviation screening technologies. GAO finds TSA does not ensure deployed passenger and baggage technologies continue to meet detection requirements after installation, despite prior testing showing failures. GAO also assesses how advanced imaging technology referrals for additional screening may be applied more frequently to certain passengers, and reviews recommendations and implementation status.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Highlights

Why GAO Did This Study

What GAO Recommends

What GAO Found

TSA Technologies Used for Checkpoint and Checked Baggage Screening

United States Government Accountability Office Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives For Release on Delivery Expected at 10 a. m. ET Thursday, October 19, 2023 AVIATION SECURITY TSA Could Better Ensure Detection and Assess the Potential for Discrimination in Its Screening Technologies Statement of Tina Won Sherman, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Highlights of GAO-24-107094 , a testimony before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security , Committee on Homeland Security , House of Representatives Why GAO Did This Study TSA employs passenger and baggage screening technologies to mitigate the threat of terrorism. TSA has faced challenges ensuring these technologies consistently meet detection requirements. The agency has also faced allegations that some of its screening practices, such as the use of advanced imaging technology, may refer certain passengers more frequently to additional screening. This statement discusses TSA’s efforts to (1) ensure passenger and baggage screening technologies continue to meet detection requirements after deployment and (2) assess the extent to which its use of advanced imaging technology refers certain passengers to additional screening more often than others. This statement is based primarily on reports GAO issued in December 2019 and November 2022 on detection requirements for TSA screening technologies (GAO-20-56) and TSA’s efforts to ensure its passenger screening practices do not result in discrimination (GAO-23-105201) . To report on actions taken to address recommendations, GAO assessed implementation reports and reviewed agency documents and responses. What GAO Recommends GAO made a total of nine recommendations in the December 2019 and November 2022 reports. DHS concurred with all nine recommendations. Seven remain open. However, TSA has taken steps to implement them, including the four recommendations to address the issues discussed in detail in this statement. View GAO-24-107094 . For more information, contact Tina Won Sherman at (202) 512-8461 [or](or shermant@gao.gov)[ shermant@gao.gov](or shermant@gao.gov). October 19, 2023 AVIATION SECURITY TSA Could Better Ensure Detection and Assess the Potential for Discrimination in Its Screening Technologies What GAO Found In December 2019, GAO reported that the performance of technologies the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses to screen passengers and baggage at airports can degrade over time. However, TSA does not ensure that such technologies continue to meet detection requirements after deployment to airports. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Technologies Used for Checkpoint and Checked Baggage Screening TSA certifies technologies to ensure they meet requirements before deployment, and its officers are to regularly calibrate deployed technologies to demonstrate they are minimally operational. However, neither of these actions ensures that technologies continue to meet requirements after deployment. In 2015 and 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tested a sample of deployed explosives trace detection and bottled liquid scanner units and found that some no longer met detection requirements. GAO recommended that TSA develop and implement a process to ensure technologies continue to meet detection requirements after deployment. TSA began requiring reviews of technologies after deployment in 2020 and is working to update its policy. TSA has also begun to conduct reviews and report on the results. In November 2022, GAO reported that TSA officials at four selected airports and representatives from seven selected stakeholder organizations , such as the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Sikh Coalition, stated that the use of advanced imaging technology can result in certain passengers being referred for additional screening more frequentl

FAQs

What main problem does GAO identify with TSA’s screening technologies after deployment?

GAO reports that TSA does not ensure deployed technologies continue to meet detection requirements after deployment to airports, even though certification and calibration occur before or shortly after deployment.

How does GAO describe the potential discrimination risk related to advanced imaging technology?

GAO states that TSA officials and selected stakeholders reported that advanced imaging technology can lead to certain passengers being referred for additional screening more frequently than others, including transgender passengers and those with religious headwear or disabilities.

What steps has TSA taken in response to GAO’s recommendations?

DHS concurred with all nine GAO recommendations, seven of which remain open. TSA has begun requiring post-deployment reviews and collects data on additional-screening referrals to support future assessment of compliance with non-discrimination policies.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver Hayes