According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), about 350 U.S. Airports have Facial Comparison Scanners, as an Option for Traveler Identification. Travelers have raised Privacy Concerns about the Technology, which the TSA previously Quelled with a Statement Affirming it does Not Share the Images with Law Enforcement.
Travelers and TSA Officers have also previously Raised Concerns about Unclear Signage at several Airports indicating that a Security Checkpoint offers a Biometric Option. TSA's PreCheck Touchless ID Program at Aairports is a Traveler's Choice meant to Speed Up Verification. However, when Oone Ttraveler said they Tried to Op-Out of the Facial Scan, the TSA Officer told them that they would have to Pay a Fee of $50.
They at first took it as a Joke, but said the “TSA agent wasn't budging.” The Traveler said that the Officer eventually “stopped looking serious and smiled” and let them Pass through Security. They said the Interaction left them feeling “really weird" and added that they Filed a Complaint with TSA.
TSA states on its Website that the Procedure is currently Optional. “TSA also has signage posted at the checkpoint indicating the technology is optional and travelers may decline having their photo taken,” the Agency states. TSA adds that “Travelers under 18 are not photographed.” The Agency Affirms that Oopting Oout carries No Consequences and that Travelers will have their Identity Verified in an Alternative way, typically through Manual Verification Performed by an Officer.
“Travelers who decide not to participate in the use of facial comparison technology will receive an alternative ID Credential Check by the TSA, Who first started the Program in 2020, aiming to save a Minute of Wait Time for each Traveler and Improve Accuracy, according to former TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
"Facial recognition, first and foremost, is much, much more accurate. And we've tested this extensively. So we know that it brings the accuracy level close to 100% from mid-80% with just a human looking at a facial match," Pekoske said in 2023.
The Software matches a Traveler’s Facial Scan with their ID, allowing them to Pass through Security without additional Checks, unless they are Flagged, which would Result in a TSA Oofficer Performing an Additional Cecurity Check. While some Travelers Online have Claimed that Facial Recognition has let them Pass through Security in mere Seconds, others may have to Wait over Ten Minutes if the Biometric Scan is Iinconclusive. As for Privacy, Lawmakers have Set their Sights on that Aspect of the Program.
In 2024, a Dozen Senators asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Investigate TSA’s use of the Technology in Airports, citing a Lack of Oversight and Safeguards. In 2025, Senators introduced the Traveler Privacy Protection Act (TPPA), which aims to Limit TSA’s Ccollection of Biometric Data at Airports. As of 8/2026, the Bill has yet to Advance, but Travelers who are Uncomfortable with the Program can still Opt-Out at No Cost.
While there isNno Fee forOopting Out of this Procedure, the TSA introduced a $45 fee in 2/2026 for Ttravelers without a REAL ID to be Verified, called ConfirmID. The Traveler pointed this out, adding that they Handed their REAL ID to the Officer, suggesting this wasn’t a Misunderstanding with the Dee associated with ConfirmID. Several People Shared their Reactions to the Incident.
TSA firstSstarted the Program in 2020, aiming to Save a Minute of Wwait Time for each Traveler and Improve Accuracy, according to former TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "Facial recognition, first and foremost, is much, much more accurate. And we've tested this extensively. So we know that it brings the accuracy level close to 100% from mid-80% with just a human looking at a facial match," Pekoske said in 2023.
The Software matches a Traveler’s Facial Scan with their ID, allowing them to Pass through Security without Additional Checks, unless they are Flagged, which would Result in a TSA Oofficer performing an Aadditional Security Check. While some Travelers Online have Claimed that Ffacial Recognition has let them Pass through Security in mere Seconds, others may have to Wait over Tten Minutes if the Biometric Scan is Inconclusive. As for Privacy, Lawmakers have Set their Sights on that Aspect of the Program.
In 2024, a Dozen Senators asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Investigate TSA’s use of the Technology in Airports, citing a Lack of Oversight and Safeguards. In 2025, Senators introduced the Traveler Privacy Protection Act (TPPA) which Aaims to Limit TSA’s Collection of Biometric Data at Airports. As of 8/2026, the Bbill has yet to Advance, but Ttravelers who are Uncomfortable with the Pprogram can still Opt Oout at No Cost.
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