Why You Should Opt-Out of TSA Facial Recognition Right Now (And How)
Until there are clear legal protections for travelers and unbiased technology, you have every reason to politely decline
Facial recognition technology is quietly becoming a routine part of air travel in the United States — and you might not even realize it. If you’ve flown recently, you may have noticed cameras scanning your face at security checkpoints or boarding gates. This is part of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) growing use of facial recognition verification systems at airports.
Why You Should Opt Out of TSA Facial Recognition Right Now (And How)
While TSA claims this technology is for “efficiency and security,” privacy advocates, independent studies, and even U.S. government oversight bodies are sounding the alarm. Here’s why you should consider opting out — and how you can.
1. TSA Facial Recognition Is Voluntary — But Many Passengers Don't Know That
According to the TSA Biometrics Roadmap, participation in facial recognition is explicitly voluntary at airport checkpoints. Yet, most travelers are never informed of this. The TSA states, “Travelers who do not wish to participate may request alternative identity verification procedures,” (TSA, 2022 FAQ). However, signage is often unclear, and agents may not always verbally offer the choice.
Passengers often feel pressured to comply, thinking it’s mandatory. This creates what the Government Accountability Office (GAO) called in a 2023 report, a "lack of informed consent." GAO criticized the TSA’s failure to adequately inform the public, stating:
“TSA has not fully addressed transparency requirements for its facial recognition programs.” (GAO Report #GAO-23-105679)
2. Your Biometric Data Is Stored and Shared — Even If TSA Says It Isn't Permanent
TSA claims it does not permanently store photos taken during identity verification. However, in reality, TSA does transmit, store, and share data during testing phases and partnerships with DHS components (Department of Homeland Security, TSA Privacy Impact Assessment).
TSA’s own documents acknowledge that images may be stored temporarily and may be shared with other government entities, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and potentially law enforcement agencies, if “operationally necessary.”
Facial recognition is fundamentally different from showing your ID. Your face is an unchangeable biometric marker. If a database is ever breached or misused, you can’t just “change your face” like you would a password.
3. Independent Audits Show Accuracy Problems — Especially for People of Color
TSA and DHS argue that facial recognition is safe and accurate, but independent audits and research tell a different story. A landmark National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study found that facial recognition algorithms showed significant racial, gender, and age biases.
Specifically, the study found:
“False positive rates are highest in West and East African and East Asian people, and lowest in Eastern European individuals.” (NIST Interagency Report 8280)
This is not theoretical — it can result in wrongful denials, extra screenings, or harassment for travelers who already face disproportionate scrutiny. In other words, the system works least reliably on the very communities that historically face the most bias at the airport.
4. Mission Creep — Will This Become Mandatory in the Future?
The most serious concern is what the government calls “mission creep” — a gradual expansion of a program's purpose beyond its original intent.
The GAO and numerous civil liberties organizations warn that TSA’s current “voluntary” system could easily become de facto or legally mandatory. TSA has admitted (GAO Report, 2023) it is “exploring broader deployment” at over 400 airports. Once fully embedded, it could be difficult or impossible to opt out later.
The technology is already in widespread use at boarding gates by airlines who partner with CBP for international flights. This raises the concern that the private sector and government will simply integrate these systems without meaningful public debate.
5. Congress Has Not Fully Authorized It
This may surprise many: Congress has not passed any law specifically authorizing TSA's use of facial recognition on the general public. It operates under broad interpretations of DHS’s security authorities, but there is no specific statutory mandate allowing biometric surveillance of U.S. citizens for domestic air travel.
In fact, members of Congress have repeatedly asked TSA to pause its deployment. In a December 2022 letter, Senators Edward Markey, Jeff Merkley, Cory Booker, and others expressed concern:
“TSA's expansion of facial recognition lacks transparency and Congressional approval.” (Source: U.S. Senate Letter to TSA)
How to Opt-Out of Facial Scanning Right Now
Opting out is your legal right. Here's how:
At TSA Checkpoint: Politely tell the officer you do not consent to facial recognition and would like manual ID verification.
At Airline Boarding Gates: Ask to board using traditional ID and boarding pass methods.
At International Departures: Some airlines may claim it's mandatory due to CBP regulations. However, if you're a U.S. citizen, you still have the right to opt out of CBP facial recognition boarding and request manual processing.
TSA admits:
“You can notify a TSA officer that you do not wish to participate in the facial recognition pilot and you will proceed through the normal identity verification process without penalty.” (Source: TSA.gov Biometrics FAQs)
Opting out isn’t paranoia — it’s simply protecting your privacy in the face of an evolving, unregulated surveillance system. Multiple official government reports (GAO, NIST), civil rights organizations (ACLU, EPIC), and members of Congress have all flagged serious concerns. Until there are clear legal protections and unbiased technology, you have every reason to politely decline.