U.S. airports are increasingly turning to facial recognition technology to streamline the boarding process, scanning travelers’ faces before they board their flights. While this tech promises efficiency and less reliance on paper tickets, it comes with its share of controversies and privacy concerns.
Facial recognition systems are now active at over 230 airports across the U.S., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The technology, introduced to enhance the efficiency of airport operations, has been adopted by major airlines like Delta and JetBlue since 2018. These systems capture travelers’ facial images to verify their identities and cross-check them against various watchlists, including those monitoring visa overstays. While the idea is to expedite travel and reduce paperwork, the implementation has not been without issues.
Technical glitches and reliability problems have marred the rollout of facial recognition technology. Initial phases revealed algorithmic biases, with performance discrepancies notably affecting nonwhite faces. Beyond technical challenges, the use of facial recognition raises significant privacy concerns. The data collected isn't directly managed by CBP but rather by airlines, which then pass the information to government databases for security checks.
For American travelers, there is a silver lining: the ability to opt out. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can choose not to participate in facial recognition scans by requesting alternative processing. This process typically involves a manual review of travel documents by a border agent. However, opting out may require multiple requests at various points during the airport experience.
While there are signs at some airports informing travelers of their right to opt out, they are not always prominently displayed. As a result, passengers might need to be proactive and vocal about their preference to avoid facial scans. If you're not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, opting out isn't an option, although some exceptions apply, such as for Canadian visa-free entrants and certain diplomatic visa holders.
As digital rights advocate Electronic Frontier Foundation highlights, staying informed and vigilant is crucial for those wishing to exercise their right to opt out of facial recognition, ensuring a more transparent and controlled travel experience.
