Traveling these days can be super stressful and the new facial recognition cameras at airports are making a lot of people wonder about their privacy. You might have seen them at the TSA checkpoints recently. Let us look at some simple facts about these scanners and why some experts think you should just skip them.
They Are In A Lot Of Airports Right Now
If you have flown lately you probably noticed those little cameras looking right at you when you hand over your ID at the security line. The TSA says they put these in over 84 airports to make things faster and more secure for everyone traveling.
How The Scanning Actually Works At The Podium
When you walk up to the agent the camera snaps a quick picture of your face and checks it against the photo on your passport or ID card. As long as the computer says you match up perfectly you just grab your bags and walk right through to your gate.
Taking Part Is Completely Voluntary For Travelers
The biggest thing to know is that you actually do not have to scan your face at all if you feel weird about it. You can just politely tell the officer you want to opt out and they will check your ID the old fashioned way.
Opting Out Will Not Delay Your Travel Plans
Some folks worry that saying no will get them sent to a long special line but that is totally not true. The TSA website says you will not lose your place in line and the manual check takes pretty much the exact same amount of time.
The Warning Signs Are Hidden In Plain Sight
There are usually signs around the airport telling you that the scan is optional but they are really easy to miss when you are rushing to find your terminal. It almost feels like they blend right into the wall so you really have to keep your eyes peeled for them.
Some Privacy Experts Have Major Surveillance Concerns
A lot of privacy experts and government leaders feel uncomfortable because they think treating our faces like ID cards normalizes too much surveillance. They are just worried about handing over that much power and think it is better to play it safe and keep things private.
The Photos Are Usually Not Saved Or Stored
The TSA says they do not keep your picture after you get matched up unless they are doing some special testing on the machines. Even with that promise some experts say it is still an invasive technology that we should be very careful about using every single day.
The Machines Can Make Misidentification Mistakes Sometimes
Another reason to think twice is that the computer algorithms are not always perfect and can actually misidentify people based on their demographics. A big study showed that the system had higher rates of mistakes for Asian and African American faces which is definitely a frustrating problem.
An Easy Alternative Identity Verification Process Exists
If you decide to skip the camera the alternative process is just a regular human desk agent looking at your face and your card. It is super simple and you do not have to explain yourself or argue with anyone about why you are doing it.
Just Tell The Officer What You Want Calmly
Next time you are at the airport just walk up with a smile and say you do not consent to the scan and want a manual check. It is your right to choose how you travel so just do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and safe on your trip.
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