Suspension of the "FaceBoarding" service at Linate
SEA Milan Airports (SEA) has announced the suspension of the "FaceBoarding" facial recognition service at Milan Linate Airport (LIN), following the measure notified by the Italian Data Protection Authority.
The decision comes at the end of a series of checks on the airport system and is mainly based on the non-binding Opinion 11/2024 of the European Data Protection Board, issued for a case considered similar.
For SEA, the first airport operator in Italy to adopt this technology, the Authority has ordered a temporary limitation on the processing of biometric data through the "FaceBoarding" system, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The service, active on a voluntary basis and intended exclusively for registered adult passengers, allowed access to security checks and boarding procedures thanks to an innovative facial recognition system, ensuring a faster, safer and smoother travel experience.
Presented to the Italian Data Protection Authority in December 2019, the project has been the subject of constant discussions with the Authority during the various stages of evolution and implementation.
SEA points out that it has introduced FaceBoarding precisely to strengthen airport security, in full compliance with privacy regulations. While believing that it is compliant with the relevant regulations, the company has confirmed that it is actively collaborating with the Italian Data Protection Authority to clarify every aspect relating to data processing and to comply with the requests received.
SEA's priority objective remains to protect the safety and privacy of passengers, in strict compliance with current regulations. The company hopes for a quick resolution of the matter in order to restore the FaceBoarding service as soon as possible, for the benefit of all travellers.
