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Senators Say TSA’s Facial Recognition Program Is Out of Control | You can opt out of facial recognition at airports, for now, but the TSA wants to make the invasive technology a requirement (gizmodo.com)

submitted 2 days ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/privacyguides@lemmy.one

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A bipartisan group of 12 senators has urged the Transportation Security Administration’s inspector general to investigate the agency’s use of facial recognition, saying it poses a significant threat to privacy and civil liberties.

“This technology will soon be in use at hundreds of major and mid-size airports without an independent evaluation of the technology’s precision or an audit of whether there are sufficient safeguards in place to protect passenger privacy,” the senators wrote.

“While the TSA claims facial recognition is optional, it is confusing and intimidating to opt out of TSA’s facial recognition scans, and our offices have received numerous anecdotal reports of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) becoming belligerent when a traveler askes to opt out, or simply being unaware of that right,” the senators wrote. They added that in some airports the signage instructing flyers to step in front of a camera is prominently displayed while signs advising passengers of their right to opt out of face scan is “strategically placed in inconspicuous locations.”

To opt out of a face scan at an airport, a traveler need only say that they decline facial recognition. They can then proceed normally through security by presenting an identification document, such as a driver’s license or passport.

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[-] EleventhHour@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

E it’s all just security theater

[-] Anticorp@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Right, that's the worst part.

[-] EleventhHour@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Frankly, I think the worst part is that TSA agents are far more likely to steal things out of your luggage than any random person on the street. It’s a real problem.

Yes, they also, at a very high rate, miss dangerous items hidden in luggage. The thing is, however, in real life, it is extraordinarily rare that anyone would try to do that. 99% of the time, it’s a TSA agent freaking out over fingernail, clippers, or some silly thing like that.

I’m most concerned about the ridiculous cost of it all, and how much better that money could be spent.

[-] CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago

To be stupidly fair, they are familiar with what a nail clipper looks like so it's easy for them to find and screen them.

But if a legit bomb part went through security, they'd probably not recognize it due to its novelty.

The next bomb through TSA is going to be some popular toy like a Tickle Me Elmo or some other shit.

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this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2024

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