Latest news with #securitychecks
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Some US airports to let travelers keep their shoes on: Reports
The Transportation Security Administration is set to announce that it will no longer require passengers to remove their shoes during security checks at some US airports, according to media reports. CBS News, citing sources, on Monday reported the change in TSA policy appears to be a phased approach with Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport among the first where the no-shoe requirement will expire. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is due to hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon where she is expected to announce the policy change. TSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the removal of the policy. TSA began making passengers remove their shoes to screen for explosives in August 2006. The policy was implemented nearly five years after the 9/11 attacks and when Richard Reid, who is known as the "shoe bomber," used matches in an attempt to ignite explosive devices hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami. In 2013, TSA launched the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler program, where members are not required to remove their shoes. Children under 12 and adults 75 years or older are exempt from removing their shoes.
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Arrests as food delivery apps vow to tighten checks in crackdown on illegal migrant workers
Food delivery companies in the UK are to bring in new enhanced security checks including facial recognition to prevent migrants working illegally. Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have brought in the measures after coming under pressure from the government amid reports of migrants working illegally delivering food in central London and elsewhere. But the three companies were summoned for talks with the Home Office after measures they had introduced earlier this year were still failing to filter out illegal workers. At the same time, a police operation in central London lasting several hours led to a number of arrests of migrants suspected of working illegally for delivery companies. Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle and Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders raised concerns of illicit account-sharing leading to illegal working. The strengthened industry standard is to be rolled out in the next 90 days, with Deliveroo and Uber Eats having enhanced the quantity and sophistication of their respective verification checks. Just Eat will increase the rate of similar checks from monthly to daily. The companies agreed to increase the use of facial verification and fraud detection technology to ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. The aim is to stop people with no right to work in the UK from paying delivery drivers to access to their apps and take orders. Ms Eagle said has promised the government is taking 'a zero-tolerance approach to illegal working across the board', which she said 'undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of the people-smuggling gangs'. She said arrests linked to illegal working have increased by 51 per cent nationwide. Footage released by the Home Office shows police and Immigration Enforcement officers arresting delivery drivers suspected of working illegally in their homes. 'I welcome Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats' pledge to increase facial verification checks following today's round-table," Ms Eagle said. "We will keep a close eye on their progress and continue discussions." It comes as new figures show more than 19,000 migrants have arrived in the UK by small boats so far this year, up by 44 per cent on the 13,272 who had crossed at the same point last year. Several French politicians, including former interior minister Gerald Darmanin, have said opportunities for migrants to work illegally in the UK are a pull factor for those attempting to cross the Channel. Under pressure from the anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been at pains to lower irregular immigration levels. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, also contains measures aimed at clamping down on illegal working. Companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors such as construction, food delivery and beauty salons will be legally required to carry out checks to confirm that anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK. After the agreeing to bolster checks on illegal workers, Deliveroo said that despite 'industry-leading measures' it has put in place over the past year, 'criminals continue to seek new ways to abuse the system'. 'We have committed to further strengthening our approach, increasing daily facial recognition checks, and we welcome the industry's commitment to do the same,' Deliveroo said. Uber Eats pledged to 'continue to invest in industry-leading tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts'. Just Eat said it 'fully supports the government's efforts to tackle illegal working and we are continuing to invest significant resources to protect the integrity of our network'.
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
UK food delivery companies increase checks on illegal workers
The UK's three largest food delivery companies have announced increased security checks for riders after ministers raised concerns about people working illegally for the firms. Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat have committed to increasing the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology in efforts to ensure only those with registered accounts can work on their platforms. The changes were announced after the firms met Home Office ministers on Monday to discuss people using the platforms to work illegally. The new measures also came a week after after the shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, claimed to have found people working illegally for the firms during a visit to a hotel used to house asylum seekers. The new checks will be rolled out in the next 90 days. Just Eat, who already use facial recognition checks, will be upping them from monthly to daily. Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said: 'This government will not turn a blind eye to illegal working. It undercuts honest business, hits people's wages and plays into the hands of the people-smuggling gangs. 'I welcome Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats' pledge to increase facial verification checks following today's round table. We will keep a close eye on their progress and continue discussions. Justin Madders, the employment rights minister, said: 'Illegal working opens the door to mistreatment and exploitation, undercutting legal workers in the process by driving down wages and working conditions. 'We're already delivering the biggest upgrade to people's rights at work in a generation as part of our plan for change, and we will continue to engage with these companies to ensure these rights are enforced, building a fairer labour market.' A Deliveroo spokesperson said: 'We take a zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform, and today's meeting with industry partners and the Home Office represents progress in our collective efforts to combat illegal working. 'The industry leading measures Deliveroo put in place over the last year have had a positive impact, but criminals continue to seek new ways to abuse the system. Today, we have committed to further strengthening our approach, increasing daily facial recognition checks, and we welcome the industry's commitment to do the same.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We are committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office, which is essential in raising standards and ensuring consistency. We will continue to invest in industry-leading tools to detect illegal work and remove fraudulent accounts.' A Just Eat spokesperson said: 'Just Eat fully supports the government's efforts to tackle illegal working, and we are continuing to invest significant resources to protect the integrity of our network. 'Today, alongside the government and wider industry, we're committing to further action to strengthen our systems and safeguards in response to these complex and evolving challenges.'
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Priceline customer accuses pharmacy of despicable act as staff hit back... before bosses offer a grovelling apology
A woman has accused Priceline of racial profiling with bosses offering a grovelling apology in a massive backflip after the store bluntly denied the claims. Joyce Lebechi claimed workers routinely requested security footage to be checked whenever she visited the store in Victoria. Ms Lebechi filmed herself confronting a staff member on the weekend, saying she was fed-up with being 'targeted'. The pharmacy initially took to Instagram to deny the accusations and defend its staff, before removing the post. 'We treat every person equally, and any suggestion otherwise is not only hurtful, it is categorically untrue,' it read. The pharmacy has since backtracked with a Priceline spokesman telling Daily Mail Australia on Monday they were deeply sorry for the incident. 'The situation that occurred at the Priceline Pharmacy franchise is highly regrettable and we wholeheartedly apologise to Ms Lebechi,' she explained. 'The security camera checks in question are not endorsed by Priceline Pharmacy, and the store has been asked to stop performing these.' Ms Lebechi said in her TikTok video that 'every time I come in here, they always ask for the cameras to get checked'. 'And today I've had it up to here,' she said. She approached a staff member and asked why the security checks seemed to coincide with her visits. 'Every time I come in the store, the cameras are asked to be checked. Why is that?' she asked. The employee responded that checks are conducted 'every ten minutes'. Ms Lebechi recalled a previous conversation where she was told the checks happened 'every five minutes'. 'Now it's ten minutes,' she said. The customer insisted the situation had happened too often to be a coincidence when speaking to another staff member. 'It just feels very racially motivated,' Ms Lebechi said. But the staff member said the checks were 'random', and she had had similar conversations in the past with other shoppers. 'You're not the only one that has that conversation with us,' she explained. 'It happens all the time, and everyone that's shopping at that time has the same comment, but we've got to do it, we can't stop.' Ms Lebechi she said it still felt racially motivated. 'You can't say that to us when we have multiple races working in here,' the staff member said. 'First of all, I don't really see that,' the shopper replied. 'I think it's something that you guys need to be conscious of, in my opinion.' But the staff member disagreed saying: 'No, because then we are targeting.' Ms Lebechi said there were too many occasions the announcement had occurred, blaming front-of-store staff for targeting customers of colour. The staff member apologised that the shopper 'felt like that' as Ms Lebechi left the store. The store posted a now-deleted statement to their social media account, taking aim at the claims. 'We are deeply disappointed by these claims, as they do not reflect the reality of our store, our staff, or our values,' it read. 'Our team proudly represents a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and we serve a diverse community of customers every day with professionalism, care, and respect. 'As part of our standard loss prevention policy, common across major retailers, we conduct random security measures, including bag checks and camera monitoring, throughout the day. 'These checks are never based on race, ethnicity, or appearance. They are carried out strictly as a routine part of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both our customers and staff.' The store said they are considering the accusations extremely seriously and strongly considering legal action. 'We have many long-standing regular customers from all walks of life who know and trust our team,' the statement read. 'We treat every person equally, and any suggestion otherwise is not only hurtful, it is categorically untrue.' A Priceline spokesman has since apologised 'for the understandable distress and concern caused by the events that took place'. 'This experience does not reflect our values of inclusivity and respect, for all customers,' he said.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- The Sun
Why you never want to see SSSS on your boarding pass before a flight
ONE traveller has revealed a code on boarding passes that you will want to avoid at all costs. Chloe Jade Meltzer, 30, has shared that some boarding passes have an 'SSSS' code on that actually mean you have been selected for additional security checks. 4 4 Chloe has been travelling the world since 2015, racking up a total of 162 countries visited. Out of the hundreds of times she has travelled, she is lucky enough to only have had 'SSSS' on her boarding pass six times. The four letters stand for 'secondary security screening selection' and mean that a passenger has been flagged for an additional security check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before boarding their flight. In practice, this means that the selected passenger will have to have more pat-downs, hand swabs and thorough luggage checks before boarding their flight. Chloe said one of the most common signs a traveller will have 'SSSS' appear on their boarding pass, is if they don't get it handed to them immediately. The New York-based travel blogger said: "I have gotten 'SSSS' on my boarding pass periodically over the years. "When I get one, I will just try get the checks out of the way and head straight to the boarding gate to be screened again by airline staff. "Usually, how long it takes depends on how fast you get to the boarding gate, how your bags are packed and how fast they are at searching." She added that if you are one of the unfortunate ones who gets flagged, then you will be pulled aside at the gate before you board your flight. You will then most likely be given a pat down or a detailed search of your luggage. Some passengers might even be tested for explosives. Chloe added: "You also might be asked a few extra question like where you're going and how long you're staying there. "It can feel very targeted but usually this will be going on for a few other people as well or sometimes half the plane. "I personally don't like this because it takes longer, you can't do this before boarding, they do it exactly at boarding." There are many reasons why a traveller may get the code on their boarding pass, but Chloe shared that one reason is because of the countries you may have travelled to. Some countries are flagged and indicate potential issues or alerts, for example, if you only purchased a one-way ticket. The blogger added that it is important to not panic when you get the code on your boarding pass though, as it is issued randomly. 4 "They say it is randomly selected, sometimes it's because you have travelled to certain countries that are flagged, or because you bought a one-way ticket," she shared. "Sometimes you might be on a watch list because you name is similar to one that they have flagged, or you have two different passports, you have passport irregularities. "If you get the dreaded 'SSSS' don't worry, it doesn't mean you're in trouble because it is random. "Just deal with it, be ready to board early and get it done." There is also a major change for travellers as boarding passes and check-in to be scrapped in new airport rules. Plus, the little-known discounts your boarding pass can get you on holiday which save you hundreds of pounds. 4
