Is facial recognition at the airport mandatory according to the TSA? Here’s how you can get out of it
Facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly prevalent at TSA checkpoints in US airports, but it has raised privacy and civil liberty concerns.
Americans are making plans for the summer travel season which is fast approaching. One thing that they will have to keep in mind if they are planning on flying is that they will need to have a Real ID-compliant identification document.
After many delays, the TSA finally began enforcing the Real ID requirement on Wednesday 7 May 2025. Travelers may also notice that there are more and more facial recognition stations at airports across the country.
Known as Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners, they have been deployed at 84 airports nationwide. The Transportation Security Administration plans to roll the technology out to the more than 400 airports it secures in the United States.
TSA digital facial scan is voluntary: Here’s how to get out of it
While the TSA says that “the facial recognition technology represents a significant security enhancement and improves traveler convenience,” it has raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties. In order to calm these, the TSA states the process is voluntary and that “travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial recognition technology process may decline the optional photo, without recourse.”
Instead, they use “an alternative identity verification process which does not use facial recognition technology to verify their identity,” by presenting their physical identification or passport. The TSA says that travelers will not be placed in another line for security screening and the process will not take longer.
Facial recognition technology is a crucial layer in our evolving security strategy. We want to keep you safe & this is one way we do that, as the use of fraudulent IDs is an emerging security threat. It’s a quick process, but if you wish to opt-out, you absolutely can. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/XXuT3dREtW
— TSA (@TSA) April 7, 2025
This applies to both US citizens and foreign travelers for domestic flights. Travelers under the age of 18 will not be photographed.
What does the TSA do with the pictures it takes?
The TSA states that “facial recognition technology is solely used to automate the current manual ID credential checking process.” Additionally, that “biometrics are not used for surveillance” nor “any law enforcement purpose.”
“Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made,” says the TSA, “except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology.”
However, Lutzker & Lutzker LLP notes that while the TSA “is required to delete photos of U.S. citizens within 12 hours,” the agency “must retain photos of non-citizens for 75 years for immigration and law enforcement purposes.”
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