Why It May Be Best To Opt Out Of TSA's Facial Recognition

The newest realization of the TSA's common phrase, "enhanced security," has arrived in the form of facial recognition technology (FRT), and it is spreading like wildfire through airports. If you haven't encountered this yet, it's inevitable you will soon. Step right up to the camera tech seems to be replacing the human agent sitting behind the screen. The TSA's stated intention behind FRT is to "aid the officers to actually determine that you are who you say who you are."

Ever since its introduction, FRT has been a topic of controversy, mainly it being utilized in a just and ethical manner by authorities. TSA would assert that this advancement is necessary to alleviate security concerns, but there is an ongoing current of skepticism and trepidation. It is important for you to be equipped with the knowledge that you can opt out of FRT (for now). Most flyers mistakenly believe it is mandatory — something that the TSA will not be proactively clarifying at the airport.

Ask yourself: the last time you were in the security screening line, did you see a sign informing you that FRT is being used ahead, and that you have the option to consent or not?. Odds are that you will not spot it, and this lack of transparency in itself has been flagged as a form of manipulation. With a lack of information around FRT, opting out becomes the harder choice for flyers. Someone could potentially frown or raise an eyebrow at you if you say no. So why would you bother opting out of FRT?

There are a few considerations as to why you may want to opt out of facial recognition technology at the airport. First, FRT threatens to override individual consent, and authorities are not publicly transparent about the consequences of your refusal to participate. It should be made clear public knowledge. Do you really know what you are consenting to as a stereostopic close-range camera captures a fully-detailed 3D scan of your face? Second, some would argue it is important to disrupt the normalization of surveillance culture. Founder of Algorithmic Justice League, Joy Buolamwithe, says a big concern with FRT is the steep trajectory of "normalizing surveillance" on a large scale. 

Third, concerns have been raised over privacy rights and highly sensitive biometric data protection. While it is officially reported that images are deleted at the airport, there is no way for you to really know that. Minimizing one's digital footprint is something that is becoming increasingly discussed. Every time FRT captures your image, it is reported to improve the algorithm that can process your digital identity.

The last thing to keep in mind when considering FRT' is that there are records available regarding AI's occasional bias against women and non-whites, as well as a pattern of misidentification. This includes reports of individuals being misidentified as a criminal suspect due to AI error.

Maybe you are now thinking about opting out of FRT next time. How do you go about it, and what can you expect? When approaching the TSA agent, step outside the camera range and tell the officer, "I opt out of facial recognition" or "I opt out and want the standard verification process." Their response, per TSA regulations, should be acknowledgement and commencement of the "alternate screening," which is just a human TSA agent reviewing and verifying your travel documents, just as they did before FRT rolled out. 

It goes without saying that there is social pressure and travel stress in the screening environment. Already now, and increasingly in the future, refusal to comply with FRT just complicates the airport's already stressful environment. You could be running late to catch your flight; you could be a mother with three young kids and tons of suitcases; you could simply be a person who wants to avoid negative attention and the possibility of raising red flags for TSA agents.

Who's got the time or bandwidth or desire to be difficult? It's easier to go with the flow. Resistance and refusal, whether at the airport or anywhere else, can be seen as abrasive, uncooperative, and maybe even suspicious. But when it comes down to questions of your consent and digital privacy, what is your comfort level with making your own choice on FRT? Whether or not you are okay with facial recognition technology, your decision is your own. What is important is that you are able to make an informed choice for yourself.