USA Today - Travel
Kathleen Wong
May 20, 2025
The growing use of facial recognition technology at airport security checkpoints is making some travellers worry about their digital privacy.
During the screening process at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints across 84 airports nationwide, air passengers will encounter the second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), according to the agency's website. The technology is expected to roll out to over 400 federalized airports.
This biometric technology, in which a traveler's photo is taken while the officer scans their ID, is meant to streamline the process of verifying that you match your documents, flight status and vetting status. It also assesses digital IDs, if a traveler has one.
Read on: TSA facial recognition: What happens to your data after screening?
