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Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

gizmodo.com

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Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#2
I was shocked to see this program arrive in my local airport. I opt out every time, but the horrifying thing is that almost everyone simply complies with whatever is asked of them. The TSA agents use phrasing that make it seem like you are supposed to go through the facial recognition process and don’t have a choice. Yes, there are tiny signs scattered around that say you can opt out. But when the officer says “step in front of the camera”, most people comply with what seems like orders from a legal authority.

Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#3

I was shocked to see this program arrive in my local airport. I opt out every time, but the horrifying thing is that almost everyone simply complies with whatever is asked of them. The TSA agents use phrasing that make it seem like you are supposed to go through the facial recognition process and don’t have a choice. Yes, there are tiny signs scattered around that say you can opt out. But when the officer says “step…

Americans can opt out.

Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#5
Making it a requirement sounds like some project manager has a KPI to hit to justify the expense of the hardware rollout. Maybe a stretch since I doubt most people opted out anyway.

Either that or they took a page out of the big tech playbook where the plan was to boil the frog all along.

Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#6

I was shocked to see this program arrive in my local airport. I opt out every time, but the horrifying thing is that almost everyone simply complies with whatever is asked of them. The TSA agents use phrasing that make it seem like you are supposed to go through the facial recognition process and don’t have a choice. Yes, there are tiny signs scattered around that say you can opt out. But when the officer says “step…

People just want to get through an incredibly annoying experience as fast as possible, and they know the people behind them want this too. Doesn’t excuse the bullshit, but it’s much less of a dramatic “sheep bowing to authority” than made out to be here.

Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#7
post #5

Making it a requirement sounds like some project manager has a KPI to hit to justify the expense of the hardware rollout. Maybe a stretch since I doubt most people opted out anyway. Either that or they took a page out of the big tech playbook where the plan was to boil the frog all along.

Did you even read the article?

And the senators’ letter quotes a talk given by TSA Administrator David Pekoske in 2023 in which he said “we will get to the point where we require biometrics across the board.”

Re: Senators say TSA's facial recognition program is out of control

#10

I was shocked to see this program arrive in my local airport. I opt out every time, but the horrifying thing is that almost everyone simply complies with whatever is asked of them. The TSA agents use phrasing that make it seem like you are supposed to go through the facial recognition process and don’t have a choice. Yes, there are tiny signs scattered around that say you can opt out. But when the officer says “step…

Generally speaking you present ID to pass through security.

The facial recognition is based on the biometric data collected when you got your ID, the ID you presented to pass through security. The ID with your name, address, date of birth, and uniquely identifying number on it. The ID which is associated with your boarding pass. The ID they scan (or they scan the boarding pass which is associated with your ID) prior to letting you through security.

Using facial recognition changes nothing, absolutely nothing, except that it reduces the amount of time spent at the checkpoint.

It does not grant anyone access to any information they do not already have.

It does not impede the traveler in any way.

It does not change, at all, any aspect of one's privacy whatsoever.

"But I don't wanna..." doesn't seem like a defensible position.

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