Can travelers opt-out of facial recognition scans in countries that require them?

1. What “opt‑out” means in U.S. airports: the written policy

Federal statements and major reporting make the basic rule clear: the Transportation Security Administration says participation in its facial-recognition kiosk/photo process is voluntary, and travelers “may decline the optional photo…in favor of an alternative identity verification process” ^{[1] [3]}. Multiple outlets walk readers through the simple mechanics—tell the TSA agent you decline and request manual inspection—and note that opting out should not delay you or subject you to extra screenings beyond the usual security checks ^{[2] [3]}.

2. How travelers are advised to opt out in practice

Practical advice repeated across reporting and advocacy groups is straightforward: inform the checkpoint agent you do not consent to a photo and ask for a manual ID check; TSA signage is supposed to indicate participation is voluntary ^{[2] [6]}. Advocacy groups like the Algorithmic Justice League run public campaigns instructing flyers on their “#RightToRefuse,” and outlets emphasize that opting out is a routine option that should be honored ^{[6] [7]}.

3. Gaps between policy and on‑the‑ground experience

Despite formal policy, civil‑liberties monitors and traveler accounts show friction: some staff or contractors tell travelers that facial recognition is required, and unattended kiosks can leave passengers with no obvious route to opt out ^[5]. Reporting and legislative pushback note that many travelers are simply unaware of the right to decline, and lawmakers have criticized TSA for insufficiently visible notices at checkpoints ^{[8] [3]}.

4. Different agencies, different rules — CBP and foreign nationals

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and DHS rulemaking create a different posture at international ports of entry: recent regulatory changes expand biometric entry/exit to most non-U.S. travelers while DHS stresses U.S. citizens aren’t mandatory subjects and that American travelers may continue to request manual inspections ^[4]. That means the voluntary framing commonly discussed about TSA checkpoints does not map one‑for‑one onto all border contexts; the sources flag a distinction between domestic TSA facial‑matching pilots and broader CBP biometric mandates for noncitizens ^[4].

5. Legislative and advocacy responses: why opt‑out remains a political issue

Congressional concern and bipartisan bills aim to codify or clarify opt‑out rights; press releases accompanying proposed laws argue many passengers don’t know they can refuse and call for clearer protections and signage ^{[8] [3]}. Advocacy groups and privacy reporters press the case that the right to decline needs stronger, enforceable safeguards rather than mere procedural guidance ^{[6] [5]}.

6. Practical tips and limits for travelers who want to refuse

If you want to avoid face‑matching: state your refusal to the TSA agent at the checkpoint, request manual ID verification, and watch for posted notices; advocacy guides and how‑to pieces reproduce that script as the expected, low‑friction path ^{[2] [1]}. Caveat: available sources do not mention a universal, guaranteed traveler experience — some airports and contractors may give inconsistent information or lack staffed alternatives, so expect variability ^[5].

7. What reporting does not settle and why it matters

Reporting agrees that an opt‑out right exists in many U.S. contexts, but it does not fully document how reliably that right is implemented at every airport or during every interaction; campaign groups and local accounts show inconsistencies and occasional pushback ^{[5] [8]}. The sources also do not provide a full inventory of international jurisdictions’ rules beyond the U.S. and the CBP regulatory note, so “countries that require” facial scans more broadly are not comprehensively covered in the materials provided ^{[4] [9]}.

Bottom line: within the United States, official policy and multiple news outlets say you can decline facial‑recognition scans and ask for manual inspection, but traveler experience can vary and lawmakers and advocates continue to press for clearer, enforceable protections and better signage to ensure that opt‑out is real and accessible ^{[1] [2] [8]}.