DHS Inspector General Finds That TSA is Not Properly Safeguarding Passenger Facial Recognition Data

If you are at a US airport, you will be made to feel like you need to scan your face. The TSA agent will say, “look at the camera” like there’s no choice. You don’t need to. Always just say “opt-out.” That’s all you need to do.

They will check your ID and use their eyeballs to compare it to your face, taking all of 10 extra seconds, and safeguarding your privacy a little bit more.

These types of security issues are inevitable, and the only way to win this game is to not play.

From the article:

Reminder: Opting Out of TSA Photos Is Possible Given that facial recognition technology is prone to mistakes, combined with the OIG’s audit revealing significant privacy weaknesses, it is imperative that travelers remember that opting out is possible. TSA’s own website emphasizes that travelers who wish to decline to have their photo taken for facial comparison can do so without any delay, disruption, or recourse.

Unfortunately I wasn’t born with enough privilege to attempt to question a tsa agent. I get randomly selected enough as it is.