How to opt out of facial recognition at airports (if you’re American)

The report describes the deployment of facial-recognition technology across more than 230 U.S. airports, outlining its purported efficiency benefits alongside significant reliability, privacy, and legal concerns. It explains that airlines collect face scans which are shared with the government for watchlist checks, with retention varying by citizenship and storage across multiple databases. The piece highlights that U.S. citizens and permanent residents can opt out—often at multiple checkpoints—by requesting manual document review, while most noncitizens generally cannot, and advises travelers to remain vigilant due to inconsistent signage and practices.