Latest news with #CAT2
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Is TSA's facial recognition voluntary or just made to feel mandatory?
What I learned as a TSA officer about facial recognition, opt-out rights, and the tension between tech and trust. As a former TSA officer, I've stood behind the podium, scanned countless IDs, and watched the rise of facial recognition technology (FRT) with a mix of curiosity and concern. I've always assumed travelers understood that using facial recognition at TSA checkpoints is completely optional. But recent headlines and growing public pushback suggest otherwise. So let's clarify what facial recognition does, why TSA adopted it, and most importantly, what your rights are when you step up to that podium. What Facial Recognition Actually Does (And Doesn't Do) The TSA uses a system called CAT-2, which compares a live photo of you taken at the checkpoint to the photo on your government-issued ID. The goal is simple: automate ID checks to speed up lines and improve accuracy. According to TSA: Facial recognition is not surveillance. It's not used for law enforcement purposes. Your photo isn't stored or saved—it's deleted immediately. And that's true based on my experience. Officers like myself had no access to the facial recognition data, nor did we see anything beyond what we needed to confirm your identity. Still, skepticism is rising—and not without reason. A Trust Problem, Not Just a Tech Problem Travelers and privacy advocates are raising red flags, not just about the technology, but about how it's being presented. According to a recent report by the Algorithmic Justice League, nearly 99% of surveyed travelers said TSA officers never verbally informed them that facial recognition was optional. Nearly three-quarters didn't even see a sign about it. That's where I have to be honest: when I was on duty, I was never told to say that facial scans were voluntary. Nor did I think it was necessary. Officers are trained to keep lines moving and minimize friction. Verbally explaining the opt-out policy to every single traveler? Operationally, it just doesn't work. But that doesn't mean travelers should be left in the dark. TSA could do a better job with clearer signage, consistent messaging, and perhaps more public education about their rights—especially with technology that can feel invasive. This is part of the reason why I started my travel newsletter, Gate Access, to share this information more frequently. Why Opting Out Sometimes Feels Like a Confrontation Here's another thing that doesn't get discussed enough: when travelers opt out, they often face snarky responses from TSA officers. According to the AJL report, people who declined the face scan experienced hostile body language, ridicule, or increased scrutiny. That's unacceptable—and avoidable. As an officer, you're juggling stress and unpredictable travelers. But that's no excuse for disrespect. TSA officers should be trained to handle opt-outs with professionalism, not defensiveness. After all, if the technology is truly optional, then opting out shouldn't be treated like an act of defiance. The Traveler Privacy Protection Act: A Possible Reset The Traveler Privacy Protection Act (S.1691) aims to make facial recognition opt-in only. That means traditional ID checks would be the default, and you'd have to explicitly choose to use FRT. Civil rights groups like the ACLU support this legislation, arguing that FRT could create a slippery slope toward a national biometric surveillance system. Meanwhile, biometric and security industry groups argue the opposite: that FRT is safe, optional, and effective at speeding up security. But the debate got a pause when Sen. Ted Cruz pulled the bill from committee consideration, saying it wasn't ready. For now, TSA's rollout of facial recognition continues. As of this writing, the tech is in use at over 250 airports, with plans to expand to 430. That expansion makes transparency and accountability even more critical. What You Can Do as a Traveler If you're reading this, here's what you need to know before your next flight: Facial recognition is voluntary. You can say, 'I'd like to opt out,' and proceed with a manual ID check. You don't need a reason. It's your right. Be polite but firm. Officers may react differently depending on their training, but your rights don't change. Look for signage. If none is posted, ask a supervisor or file feedback with TSA. A Final Word from the Other Side of the Podium I've seen both the promise and the pitfalls of airport security tech. Facial recognition can be useful, efficient, and secure. But it must be deployed with consent, transparency, and respect. When travelers feel pressured or misled, that erodes trust in both the technology and the agency. As TSA expands its use of biometrics, it has an opportunity—and responsibility—to educate the public and ensure that privacy doesn't get lost in the pursuit of convenience. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to Americans over 'dangerous' technology quietly rolled out in 80 airports
You look up. A camera captures your face. Within seconds, you've been scanned, stored, and tracked—before even reaching airport security. Without ever handing over your ID, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) already knows exactly who you are. This is happening at 84 airports across the US. And chances are, you didn't even notice. Marketed as a tool to enhance security, TSA's facial recognition system is drawing criticism for its potential to track Americans from the terminal entrance to their final destination. While the agency insists the scans are voluntary, many passengers say they're unaware that opting out is even an option. Behind these sleek, touchless scanners lies a vast biometric database, which is raising concerns among experts about how the data might be used, or misused, by the very government that collects it. Jeramie Scott, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, described the facial recognition as 'an invasive and dangerous surveillance technology.' 'That will ultimately accelerate the use of our faces as our ID, and that has some very important implications for privacy, civil liberties, civil rights and our democracy,' he added. TSA's facial recognition program, known as Credential Authentication Technology with Camera (CAT-2), scans a traveler's face in real time and matches it to the photo on their government-issued ID. Once verified, passengers can proceed without ever showing their physical license. The technology is already in use at major US airports, including Los Angeles International, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, and Chicago O'Hare. But this is only the beginning. TSA plans to expand the program to more than 400 airports in the coming years. Gerardo Spero, TSA's Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania and Delaware, said: 'Identity verification of every traveler prior to flying is a key step in the security screening process. 'This technology enhances our ability to detect fraudulent IDs such as driver's licenses and passports at checkpoints, and it increases efficiency by automatically verifying a passenger's identity. We just want to ensure that you are who you say you are.' However, the initiative has drawn significant criticism from privacy experts, civil rights groups, and lawmakers across the political spectrum. Behind these sleek, touchless scanners lies a vast biometric database, which is raising concerns among experts about how the data might be used, or misused, by the very government that collects it One concern is the lack of comprehensive federal regulations governing the use of facial recognition technology. Speaking to HuffPost, Scott warned that 'what may be the safeguards today does not mean they will be the safeguards tomorrow.' According to the TSA, passengers who are uncomfortable with the facial recognition system can choose to opt out and request a manual ID check. Saira Hussain, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, regularly declines the facial scan when she flies. But she says TSA agents often respond with statements like, 'We already have your information, so it's not like you're giving us anything more.' TSA's long-term vision, outlined in its technology roadmap, is to create a fully 'touchless' and 'frictionless' airport experience, transforming your body into your boarding pass. But what's marketed as convenience by the agency is viewed as surveillance by others. Travis LeBlanc, a lawyer and former member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, warns that TSA's placement within the Department of Homeland Security raises serious concerns about the use of traveler data. 'TSA is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which is also responsible for immigration enforcement,' LeBlanc said. 'There are many potential uses for these images.' In January, the Trump administration removed LeBlanc and two other Democratic board members. He is currently suing the U.S. government to be reinstated, arguing that the dismissal was unlawful. Despite the criticism, TSA remains committed to expanding the program. In a recent statement, the agency said biometric screening will 'improve security effectiveness' and 'enhance the passenger experience.' For now, opting out remains an option. But as summer travel ramps up and facial recognition systems roll out to more airports, passengers are left to weigh the trade-off between speed and privacy.
