Do you opt out of the facial scan at the airport? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 days ago by wuphysics87@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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For those of you who travel in the united states, you'll know they now have facial recognition scans when checking your id. You can opt out by telling them you don't want to take the picture. I do every time, but I wonder what the point of the scan is if you can just opt out. That given, why do you think they do it? What prevents them from forcing you to do it?

To those of you who live outside of the united states, have you seen a similar increase in security at your airports?

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[-] croptop@hexbear.net 12 points 4 days ago

I just found out that you can opt out recently and decided to try next time I fly.

So just last week had a flight. In line at security I started to wonder what would happen if I tried to decline and was mad at myself for how nervous I got. Absurd.

But I asked the guy "do I have to [get my photo taken]?" and he told me to just pull my mask down and he looked at my id and then let me through to TSA. He was brusk but not too bad. I wonder what airline employees think about facial recognition and surveillance cuz it's so normal in that space. Anyway.

Overall glad I asked. Will be asking from here on out. I'm sure one day it will be mandatory.

[-] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 5 points 4 days ago

You don't have to feel bad about being nervous. I did. It's not unlikely you'll be the only one in that line who decides to opt out. What happens if something goes wrong? Everyone else will be pissed at you. Turns out it's not a big deal. You just ask and there's one less thing they have to do.

[-] croptop@hexbear.net 4 points 3 days ago

Yeah I was thinking that had it been like. Cops or cop-coded individuals I would have been way more scared. But "Do I have to?" is going to be my like. Vomit response to my rights being squeezed on the daily.

And you're right it wasn't a big deal at all but it worried me in a new way which is always fun to notice

this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2025

67 points (98.6% liked)

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