Touchless Airport Screening Expands to D.C. as Congress Considers Limits on Facial Recognition

TSA's PreCheck Touchless ID technology, a facial comparison system that verifies identity without requiring physical ID, is now available at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and 14 other U.S. airports for enrolled PreCheck passengers with valid passports. Simultaneously, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has implemented Enhanced Passenger Processing at Nashville International Airport, using automated facial recognition to expedite traveler verification before they reach an officer. While officials tout improved efficiency and security, privacy concerns have prompted bipartisan legislation called the Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025, which would require consent for biometric data collection, prohibit passive surveillance, and mandate timely deletion of stored images.