Digital Rights Groups Demand TSA Halt Facial Recognition Program

Published Date : 7/30/2025 

The Algorithmic Justice League (AJL) has published a report highlighting concerns over the TSA's expanding facial recognition program, calling for a halt to allow for public deliberation and addressing traveler concerns. 

The Algorithmic Justice League (AJL) has released a report titled 'Comply to Fly?' which raises significant concerns about the TSA's facial recognition program. The report, based on extensive surveys and testimonials from travelers across 91 U.S. airports, highlights issues of transparency, consent, and the treatment of travelers by TSA officers.

The report reveals that the TSA's facial recognition program, initially described as a pilot, has expanded to over 250 domestic airports and is set to reach 430 airports in the coming years. The AJL accuses the TSA of 'scope creep' and emphasizes that the report fills a critical gap in public knowledge about the lived experiences of travelers encountering airport face scans.

A key finding of the report is that many travelers felt that TSA officers presented facial recognition as mandatory, even though it is voluntary. According to the survey, 99 percent of respondents indicated that they were not verbally informed by TSA officers about the opportunity to opt out. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of respondents did not receive a notice about the use of face scans. These issues raise serious concerns about transparency and consent.

The human element also plays a significant role in souring the traveler experience. Many respondents reported verbal abuse, hostile body language, increased scrutiny, and other injuries to dignity and respect when attempting to opt out. TSA agents often shamed or ridiculed travelers verbally, further exacerbating the problem.

The AJL is not mincing words in its recommendations. The organization calls for an immediate halt to the TSA's use of facial recognition to allow for public deliberation and to address the concerns raised by the traveling public, civil society organizations, bipartisan elected officials, and the U.S. government’s Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). The AJL emphasizes the need for freedom and privacy, informed public decision-making, and improved treatment of travelers.

To address these issues, the AJL recommends the implementation of a dedicated biometrics complaint procedure by December 2025. This procedure would allow travelers to submit new and retroactive complaints specifically related to the TSA’s use of facial recognition technology (FRT) and other experimental biometric pilots. The TSA should also establish specific procedures to respond to these complaints.

U.S. lawmakers have also raised concerns about the TSA’s facial recognition program. The Traveler Privacy Protection Act (S. 1691) is a bipartisan bill that aims to restrict the TSA’s use of facial recognition at checkpoints and reset the default to traditional identity verification unless travelers opt in. The bill warns of the dangers of creating a nationwide biometric tracking infrastructure and the potential for misuse by government or private entities. The legislation has garnered support from rights groups such as EPIC, ACLU, Fight for the Future, and the Project on Government Oversight.

However, airlines and industry associations have pushed back against the bill. They argue that it would undermine the TSA’s security modernization efforts. The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA) have addressed criticisms of the program, stating that the TSA uses face biometrics to automate a task it is already legally responsible for and that the technology does not constitute or enable government surveillance. They argue that the bill should be set aside in favor of working with stakeholders to address any issues.

The bill was due for markup by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation but was removed from the Committee’s schedule at the last minute. Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) stated that it was not ready to be considered.

While the AJL report highlights the negative experiences of many travelers, a survey by Getronics, the 2025 Travel Trust Barometer, indicates that 53 percent of British passengers prioritize a smooth journey over the security of their personal data. Only 36 percent of respondents stated that safeguarding personal data is their main concern. Despite high acceptance of biometric technology, almost 12 million people in the UK would be uncomfortable with the increasing use of facial recognition.

Rob Nidschelm, Global Head of Operational Security at Getronics, emphasizes that airports are now complex digital ecosystems, and the cybersecurity attack surface is expanding rapidly. There is a persistent rise in targeted attacks on aviation, particularly on passenger data systems, biometric platforms, and third-party integrations critical to airport operations. Trust in airports is fragile, and there is a clear opportunity to strengthen it through transparency, choice, and digital literacy.

The TSA and other stakeholders must take note of these findings and work to improve the traveler experience while ensuring data privacy and security. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main concern of the Algorithmic Justice League (AJL) regarding TSA's facial recognition program?

A: The AJL is concerned about the lack of transparency and consent in the TSA's facial recognition program, as well as the treatment of travelers by TSA officers, who often present the technology as mandatory even though it is voluntary.

Q: What does the Traveler Privacy Protection Act (S. 1691) aim to do?

A: The Traveler Privacy Protection Act aims to restrict the TSA’s use of facial recognition at checkpoints and reset the default to traditional identity verification unless travelers opt in, to protect traveler privacy and prevent the creation of a nationwide biometric tracking infrastructure.

Q: What are the main arguments against the Traveler Privacy Protection Act from the airline industry?

A: The airline industry argues that the bill would undermine the TSA’s security modernization efforts and that the TSA uses facial recognition to automate a task it is already legally responsible for, without constituting government surveillance.

Q: What does the Getronics 2025 Travel Trust Barometer reveal about British passengers' priorities?

A: The Getronics 2025 Travel Trust Barometer indicates that 53 percent of British passengers prioritize a smooth journey over the security of their personal data, while only 36 percent consider data protection as their main concern.

Q: What is the key recommendation of the AJL for improving the traveler experience with facial recognition technology?

A: The AJL recommends the implementation of a dedicated biometrics complaint procedure by December 2025, allowing travelers to submit new and retroactive complaints related to the TSA’s use of facial recognition technology. 

More Related Topics :