Facial recognition is now part of the security process at many U.S. airports, but travelers are not required to use it. At Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, the technology usually appears at the identity verification podium before passengers reach the bag screening area. Instead of only handing over an ID for a TSA officer to inspect, a traveler may be asked to place a driver’s license, passport, or other acceptable identification into a Credential Authentication Technology device. At some checkpoints, that device can also take a live photo of the traveler. TSA says the system compares that live image with the photo on the traveler’s ID to help confirm that the person at the checkpoint matches the document presented. TSA describes this as facial comparison technology used for identity verification, and says the images are not used for law enforcement or surveillance. Still, many travelers may not realize they have a choice. According to TSA, passengers may opt out of facial recognition and request an alternative identity verification process. What The Facial Recognition Process Looks Like At checkpoints using TSA’s newer identity verification machines, the process usually starts when a traveler reaches the document checking station. The traveler presents an ID, and the machine checks the document’s information. If facial comparison is active and the traveler does not opt out, the device takes a live image at the podium. The system then compares that live photo with the image on the traveler’s government-issued ID. A TSA officer can review the result before allowing the traveler to continue to standard security screening. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board’s 2025 report describes TSA’s checkpoint facial recognition system as a one-to-one matching system. That means it compares the live photo to the ID photo the traveler provided, instead of searching the person’s