This is an update of some of the rollouts that are happening at airports globally and also within the U.S. Empire, around biometric theft and facial recognition technology.
This is a recent image I took at the airport boarding gate of a flight in a U.S. airport.
I have been encountering this exact configuration of facial recognition kiosks around the world for several years, but in the United States the installation of these has been noticeably ramping up in the past few months.
In typical Empire fashion, there was no clear indication of being able to opt out or the fact that it is voluntary. There was, however, this video that was playing in a loop above the desk:
If you have your face scanned, and it is successful, then you go through the gate. What is more important to me, is the part when the scan fails. It shows that you can then simply walk to the side to do a manual verification and boarding check in with a human agent.
Remember that there is always an agent somewhere. Even if at first glance it may appear that there are only rows of machines, there is always an agent somewhere. If someone tried to go through without verifying their biometrics and without showing their passport, an agent or security would surely swoop in. They are around, always watching.
In fact, CBP and TSA have stated their long-term plan to eventually have biometric machines without agent assist, but with agents at the ready behind the scenes when needed. Even then, the agents will be around. Know this and call the agent instead of enabling biometric theft by default.
Just before boarding, I told the agent that I would not be participating in the taking of my photo or biometrics. The agent at first paused, thought about the amount of trouble they wanted to put me through, looked at me again, looked at the line behind me, thought better of it, and directed me to the opening where there was a non-kiosk area that was already being used for those with assistive devices and strollers. This of course means that biometric kiosk gates are not accessible either.
I was able to board just showing my passport and not getting biometric scans, just as we have done for decades already.
Whenever you come across these types of kiosks, whether at airports, venues, stadiums, or parks, always attempt to opt out. Of course, constantly keep in mind the risk that is put on you if you are of any identity that white cis het ableist capitalist colonial culture does not want to exist, especially under this administration.
Fight surveillance culture and the assumption of consent, which, to name, is not actually consent.
If and when you can, opt out, opt out, opt out.
Comments are closed.