Why did TSA scan my face?

The Transportation Security Administration has been testing use of facial recognition software to verify travelers' identification at some airports. Use of the technology is voluntary, the TSA has told the public and Congress.



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The technology is both checking to make sure the people at the airport match the ID they present and that the identification is in fact real. A TSA officer is still there and signs off on the screening.

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This is an optional process for passengers, who may opt-out of the process at any time and instead choose the standard identity verification by a Transportation Security Officer (TSO).

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The Transportation Security Administration has been testing use of facial recognition software to verify travelers' identification at some airports. Use of the technology is voluntary, the TSA has told the public and Congress.

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Separately, U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses facial recognition technology at some airport border crossings. U.S. citizens and some other travelers are also entitled to decline to have their photos taken for facial recognition ID checks. You can ask for another way to verify your identification.

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The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed. CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers' flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel that day.

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Here are some signs that the Department of Homeland Security says may indicate you've been flagged for additional scrutiny: You were not able to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the internet. You were denied or delayed boarding.

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Tripping the system during a background check
Other times, you could engage in some type of suspicious travel activity that triggers an additional screening which could include things like: Visits to high-risk countries. Unusual travel patterns (last minute one-way flight) Paying cash for tickets.

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How not to be “That Guy” at the airport checkpoint
  1. Get there early. ...
  2. Consider checking your bag. ...
  3. If you must carry-on, make sure your bag is well-organized. ...
  4. Get the 411 on 3-1-1. ...
  5. If you must travel with it, know how to safely pack your gun. ...
  6. Be ready when you get in line. ...
  7. Get through the line faster with TSA PreCheck™.


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They're trained to detect any item on a person or in carry-on luggage that poses a threat. According to the TSA, agents screen approximately 4.9 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items each day.

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The TSA largely looks for physical evidence that a passenger could be a threat, so they'll generally have no reason to search through the data on your phone. After all, they're the Transportation Security Agency, not a detective agency. Even if they did have reason to want to access your phone, they'd need a warrant.

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Scanners at airports are operated in a way that they can detect thick wads of cash. This money is counted to determine how much it is, and the person carrying it might be questioned.

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TSA may also determine that an applicant is not eligible if the security threat assessment process reveals extensive foreign or domestic criminal convictions, a conviction for a serious crime not listed in Part A or B below (including some lesser included offenses of serious crimes; e.g. murder/voluntary manslaughter), ...

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Digital Identification Your photo will be taken by the TSA reader at security to proceed to screening. You must still carry your physical ID as needed.

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For general warrants the airport scanning system does not scan for general warrants or penalty history. However, even if an outstanding warrant is detected, you can pay the fine on the spot.

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The Transportation Security Administration randomly swabs passengers' hands at security checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives. The TSA swabs are analyzed for nitroglycerin, nitrates, glycerin, or other chemicals. This was an expansion in 2010 from simply swabbing luggage and other items.

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