Facial recognition takes off at Richmond airport

The big picture: Facial recognition tech is already a part of a pilot TSAPreCheck program in which participating travelers can go through security without presenting physical IDs or boarding passes.

• Dulles rolled out an early facial recognition system back in 2018. More recently, apps like Mobile Passport Control use facial recognition to help travelers hasten through customs.
• A national pilot program launched at DCA in 2020.
• BWI rolled out new credential technology last year, which can authenticate over 2,500 types of IDs and is completely self-serve.

Yes, but: There are growing concerns with the technology regarding accuracy, privacy and civil rights violations, and reported issues with proper training by federal agencies.

• Some lawmakers, the latest being in Maryland, have passed legislation limiting the technology's use.
• Virginia lifted its ban on police using facial recognition in 2022.

How it works: The units, called CAT-2, are self-serve. Travelers insert their ID, look at the camera, get their photo taken and if the ID is validated, they can proceed through the checkpoint.

• The system can also confirm the passenger has a ticket to fly out of Richmond's two-terminal airport that day but travelers will still need to show their boarding pass at the gate.

Between the lines: The photo is deleted right after and travelers can choose to opt out.

• Anyone under 18 isn't photographed, either.