EFF legal intern Gabrielle Ladun was the principal author of this post. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) has published a summary of findings from its audit of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) facial recognition technology. While the...
As I witnessed today, even just stating that you are opting out is not enough. You must ensure, of your own accord, that the camera is not directed at you when you approach the TSA agent, or else it will automatically photograph you.
Ever since they introduced the facial recognition software I have opted out. I always approach the station at an angle if possible or with my passport between the camera and my face if not. Then when thy ask me to step in front of the camera a simple “No, thank you” has always worked. Polite yet firm and they hand me back my passport and away I go. It’s pretty much always faster.
Every so often you get a dickhead that makes a show of it taking longer to verifying it by their own eyeballs.
That being said, if you a flying internationally anymore, your picture at least will be taken when you enter.
I wear an N95 mask and only remove it after opting out. Yes, good advice for sure.