The TSA is rolling out facial recognition at checkpoints to compare travelers’ faces with the photos on their IDs.
Facial recognition is a controversial topic, with critics saying it unfairly targets minorities and is a privacy nightmare. The TSA and airports have been rolling out facial recognition in various applications, although usually with the option to opt-out.
The TSA is now expanding facial recognition use as a way to speed up checkpoint screening by comparing a person to their passport or ID.
“This technology is valuable because it enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent IDs such as driver’s licenses and passports at a checkpoint and it increases efficiency by automatically verifying a passenger’s identification,” said Christopher Murgia, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland. “This helps ensure that we know who is boarding flights. The system also confirms the passenger’s flight status by verifying that the individual is ticketed to fly out of that airport on that day.”
The TSA says the technology is “self-service,” with passengers able to use it without interacting with a TSA agent.
As with previous facial recognition uses, the TSA told Business Insider that travelers can still opt out and proceed with a standard in-person ID check.
