TSA Expands Touchless ID Screening to More Than 60 Airports

The Transportation Security Administration's Touchless ID program, which lets TSA PreCheck members pass through security using facial comparison instead of handing over a physical ID, has expanded to more than 60 airports nationwide, with the agency targeting as many as 65 locations by the end of spring.

The technology matches a traveler's photo, taken at the checkpoint, against the image on file with their passport or driver's license, a process TSA says takes 10 seconds or less for enrolled travelers using participating airlines. Recent priority additions include Houston's Bush Intercontinental, Washington Dulles, Boston, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, alongside smaller airports like Jacksonville and Sacramento.

Participation remains voluntary, and travelers must opt in with an eligible airline and have their passport information on file to use the touchless lanes. TSA has framed the expansion as a way to reduce checkpoint congestion during what's shaping up to be a record-setting travel year.

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the growing use of facial recognition at airport checkpoints, and some lawmakers have called for clearer limits on how the biometric data collected through the program is stored and used.