[afturner]

You can only opt out if you're belligerent and willing to waste your time. On a trip back from Spain, flying in to Dulles, the agent immediately took my picture, even though I specifically said I did not want to. The agent said I had no choice, even though I knew this was false. I was then escorted to a supervisor who questioned me for ~20-30 minutes. He said that if I had nothing to hide, I shouldn't need to worry. I argued for as long as I could, but I had a connecting flight and needed to leave.. so I just gave up.

[monksy]

A few things:

1. Escalate this to your senator

2. Inform the ACLU/EFF about this.. you may have some leverage here

3. File a DOT complaint and a complaint on the Spanish side (you may have EU rights if it was done on Spanish soil) https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-com...

EU

https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/themes/...

https://edps.europa.eu/data-protection/data-protection_en

The only reason they did that to you is they knew they could get away with it. They intentionally griefed you because they knew you were running out of time.

[taywrobel]

I’ve opted out 3 times so far, without incident. Twice in LA, once in Seattle. While heading to the door to board I didn’t look at the scanner and told the gate agent that I’d like to opt out. They said okay, I got on the plane, and that was it. Not even an alternative screen.

Not to say that your experience is invalid, but it’s not universal. Tho I am fundamentally against the technology in the first place, hence the opt out.

[toomuchtodo]

If you're against the technology, don't waste your time opting out (said as someone who spent way more effort over years of opting out of millimeter wave backscatter scans on principle). Support the ACLU, call, write, and meet with your representatives, do things that matter. Opting out simply causes you pain without any benefit.

Tools are never the problem; it's their implementation, use, oversight, and governance. Seek change at the appropriate layer.

Disclaimer: I'd embrace any auth system that streamlines my travel process (facial recognition at TSA checkpoint and the airline gate), but also believe one should be able to opt out and downgrade to traditional documents if desired.

[afturner]

I'm glad to hear that. I didn't have the best flight and was really happy to be home.. so it definitely stuck with me when that happened. Also.. is it possible that mine was a different thing? The agent just held up a random webcam, it wasn't on a "legit" scanner.

[kevin_thibedeau]

If your freedom is predicated on someone else deciding when you can enjoy it, you never had it to begin with. The "nothing to hide means transgressions don't count" people have no business being citizens.

[matheusmoreira]

> He said that if I had nothing to hide, I shouldn't need to worry.

It's one thing to see random people say this but government officials? That's terrifying.

[ngneer]

You just made their list.