Travel
“Checkpoint of the Future”: Are the US airports switching to facial recognition?
Critics are concerned about the bias of the algorithm and what will happen to people’s personal data.
A passenger in America walks up to a security checkpoint at an airport, slides an ID card into the slot and looks through a camera on a small screen.
The screen flashes, “Photo Complete”, and the person can walk through without having to show their identification to the officer behind the screen.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is evaluating the use of facial-recognition technology at airports across the nation, has launched a pilot program.
“What we’re trying to do is help the officers determine that you’re who you say you are,” says Jason Lim of TSA Identity Management Capabilities Manager during a demonstration given to reporters last month at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
It comes at a moment when the use The technology behind the technology is The drive to improve security and streamline procedures has intensified.
TSA says that the pilot is voluntary, accurate and reliable. However, critics have raised questions about bias in facial recognition technology and possible repercussions on passengers who opt out.
What US airports use facial recognition technology and how does it operate?
The technology is currently available in 16 airports. It is also being used in airports such as Atlanta, Boston and Dallas, Denver. Los AngelesMiami, Orlando and Phoenix in Arizona, Salt Lake City and San Jose in Utah, and Gulfport, Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi.
It’s not at all TSA checkpoints, so not everyone who travels through these airports will necessarily experience it.
The system works as follows: Travellers place their driver’s license into a slot which reads the card, or they can place their Passport photo against a card reader. Then, they look at the camera on a screen that is about the size an iPad. This captures their photo and compares it with their ID.
The technology checks to see if the IDs presented at the airport are real and if the people who present them are the same as the ones on the passport. The TSA officer who signed off the screening is still present.
A small sign informs travellers that they will be photographed as part of the pilot, and that they may opt out. The sign also contains a QR code that can be used to find out more information.
Why is facial recognition so controversial?
Since its launch, the pilot has been scrutinized by privacy advocates and elected officials. In a letter sent to TSA in February, five senators called on the agency to stop the programme. They said: “Increasing the government’s biometric surveillance of Americans represents a threat to civil liberties, privacy rights, and civil liberties.”
There are many different types of technology that you can use. Biometric information Face IDs, fingerprint matches or retina scans have become more common in the private sector as well as the federal government.
Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about how the data is collected, who can access it and what will happen if it’s hacked.
Meg Foster, a Justice Fellow at Georgetown University’s Centre on Privacy and Technology says that there are concerns regarding bias in the algorithms of facial recognition technologies.
Some people have difficulty recognising the faces of minorities. There’s also the worry that hackers from outside will find ways to hack government systems.
Does facial recognition technology store our faces?
Foster is concerned about the TSA pilot. While the agency claims it does not store biometric data collected, what happens if this changes in the future.
She says that while passengers are free to opt out of the program, it is unfair to put this on harried travelers who may be worried about missing a flight if they do.
Foster said that “they might be worried that if they refuse to have their face recognized, they will be viewed with suspicion.”
Jeramie Scott of the Electronic Privacy Information Center says that although it is voluntary now, it may not be for very long.
David Pekoske (the head of TSA) said in April during a speech that biometrics will be required eventually because they are more efficient and effective, but he did not give a timeline.
Scott says that he would prefer TSA to not use the technology. He would like to see a minimum of an external audit to verify the technology doesn’t disproportionately affect certain groups, and that images are deleted immediately.
According to authorities, why is facial recognition technology needed?
TSA says that the pilot’s goal is to improve the accuracy and speed of identity verification while not slowing down passengers. Checkpoints – A key issue for a company that serves 2.4 million passengers per day.
Early results show that the algorithm is able to identify passengers regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Lim says that the images are not being compiled into any database and that photos and IDs have been deleted.
In limited circumstances, data may be collected and shared by the Science and Technology Directorate of Homeland Security. TSA claims that data is deleted 24 months after collection.
Lim says that the camera will only turn on when someone inserts their ID card. This means it is not taking pictures of people at random. He says that passengers can also decide whether or not they want to use the camera.
He says that he has done research that shows that, while some algorithms perform worse for certain demographics, they also show that higher-quality algorithms like the one used by the agency are much more accurate. He says that using the best cameras available is also a factor.
“We take these concerns about privacy and civil rights very seriously because we touch so much of the population every day,” he said.
Keith Jeffries, retired TSA official, says Pandemic The rollout of “touchless” technologies, in which a passenger does not have to hand over a document to a representative, has been greatly accelerated.
He envisions a future “checkpoint” where passengers can use their face to check their bags, pass through security checkpoints, and board the plane without having to take out a boarding ticket or ID documents.
He acknowledges that many people are concerned about privacy and distrust when it comes to providing biometric data to federal government but says that in many ways, the use of biometrics has already become deeply embedded in society due to the use of privately-owned devices. The technology behind the newest.
He says, “Technology will be around for a long time.”
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Tourists have been caught smuggling all kinds of stolen souvenirs home from holidays, from artefacts picked up in Pompeii to sand from Italy’s famous pink beach on the island of Sardinia.
The Belgian city of Bruges is the latest victim of keepsake crime, but the item visitors have taken a fancy to is unexpected.
The city council has reported the theft of dozens of cobblestones from the city centre, and suspects tourists are the culprits.
Tourists suspected of pilfering Bruges’ cobblestones
Bruges’ cobblestones are increasingly being pilfered from well-known spots in the UNESCO-designated historic centre, public property councillor Franky Demon reported this week.
“At iconic locations such as Minnewater, Vismarkt, Markt and Gruuthusemuseum, it is estimated that 50 to 70 pieces of cobblestone disappear every month. And that number could be even higher,” Demon told press.
“The phenomenon increases significantly, especially during busy tourist periods such as spring and summer,” he added.
For this reason, authorities suspect visitors are pocketing the stone as souvenirs.
‘Leave that cobblestone where it belongs’
As well as damaging a valuable part of the city’s heritage, the stolen stones have created safety issues.
The gaps from removed stones present trip hazards for pedestrians – and are costly to repair.
“It’s unfortunate that our employees constantly have to go out to fix potholes and loose stones. This causes a lot of additional work and costs: about 200 euros per square metre of reconstruction,” explained Demon.
The councillor urged visitors to respect the historical environment of Bruges.
“We simply ask for respect. Anyone walking through Bruges crosses centuries of history. Leave that cobblestone where it belongs,” he said.
Bruges’ cobblestones are apparently not the only sought-after street souvenir.
Along the famous Paris-Roubaix cycling route, tourists are known to pilfer parts of the pavement.
While Rome’s iconic ‘sampietrini’ – cobblestones made of solidified lava – have also disappeared into suitcases over the years.
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Travel
‘Inequality and infinite growth’: Canary Islands anti-tourism protests reignite amid record arrivals
This weekend, residents of Spain’s Canary Islands are coming out in force to protest against mass tourism.
People on the archipelago have been growing increasingly vocal about its struggles with visitor numbers.
Last year, locals held multiple protests to highlight overtourism’s strain on local infrastructure and housing availability. They look set to continue again this summer as residents say little has been done to tackle the problem.
Protests planned across Spain against overtourism
On Sunday, 18 May, residents of the Canary Islands will take to the streets to join protests organised by campaign group Canarias tiene un límite (The Canary Islands have a limit).
Demonstrations will be held on all the islands of the archipelago as well as in several cities across Spain.
Protests will begin at 11 am on the seven main Canary Islands – El Hierro, La Palma, La gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – and at 12pm on mainland cities including Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia.
Residents in the German capital of Berlin are also planning to take to the streets in solidarity.
Why are residents of the Canary Islands protesting?
The organisers say they are protesting to oppose the current economic model “based on overtourism, speculation, inequality and the infinite growth on very limited land”.
Instead, they want a transition to a people-centred, environmentally responsible model that respects the archipelago’s ecological and social needs.
Specifically, they are calling for a halt to destructive hotel projects across the islands and the building of a motor circuit on Tenerife; a moratorium on new tourist developments; guaranteed access for residents to healthcare and housing; and a functional ecological tourist tax.
The group also wants the immediate introduction of measures to curb marine pollution and the creation of an environmental restoration law.
Canary Islands receive record number of tourists in March
Earlier this month, authorities announced that the Canary Islands received more than 1.55 million foreign visitors in March, up 0.9 per cent on the record set in the same month last year.
The figures were released by the Canary Islands National Statistics Institute (INE), which added that the total number of international tourists for the first quarter of 2025 was 4.36 million, an increase of 2.1 per cent year-on-year.
The tourist influx comes despite dozens of protests staged last year by Canary Island residents against mass tourism.
Similar demonstrations have already taken place this year. Over Easter, around 80,000 hospitality workers in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro walked out in a dispute with unions over pay.
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A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Greek island of Crete early this morning, Wednesday 14 May.
Authorities issued a tsunami alert in the area shortly after the tremor, which was felt as far away as Israel, Syria and Egypt.
Tourists are being warned to stay away from coastal areas in the popular holiday spot.
Here is the latest travel information from the local government.
Tourists in Crete urged to move away from coastlines
The earthquake was at a depth of 35 kilometres with its epicentre near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos in the Aegean Sea.
Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a precautionary tsunami warning for the area, including the east coast of Crete and the island of Rhodes.
Authorities urged residents and tourists on the island to keep away from the coastline and move to higher ground.
“A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area,” the Ministry posted on its X account this morning. The magnitude was later updated to 6.0.
“Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities.”
Samaria Gorge, one of Crete’s most popular hiking routes, is temporarily closed as officials check for any damage done to the route.
“The Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will remain closed to visitors in order to check the route for possible rockfalls,” authorities said. “A further announcement will be made late this afternoon.”
Crete earthquake: Is it safe to travel and am I entitled to compensation?
Foreign governments have not issued travel advisories as yet, so it is currently still considered safe to visit Greece and its islands.
This also means that, should you choose not to go ahead with your trip, you are unlikely to receive compensation.
Depending on your travel insurance policy, you may be able to receive a refund for some or all of your trip if it includes compensation for cancellations due to natural disasters. Check with your provider and read your terms and conditions carefully.
There have been no reports so far of injuries or major damage from the earthquake, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have warned people should remain vigilant.
If you are on holiday in or about to travel to Crete, Kasos or Karpathos, make sure you stay up to date with the latest information.
Crete and its surrounding region are considered one of Europe’s most seismically active zones.
In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the island just weeks after another tremor killed one person and injured several others.
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