What TSA sees when they scan your ID and Your Face ...

Of course, that picture is of an intentionally fake ID. If it’s a real ID (as opposed to Real ID—see what I did there?), the pink ID window would typically say “Normal” (if it was good to go) and the “boarding pass” window would be yellow and say TSA PreCheck, BP Check (for a random boarding pass check), etc.

CAT-2 adds facial matching (and you can opt out)
Meanwhile, before they’ve even completed introducing CAT to all U.S. airports, the TSA is already introducing new technology.

Called CAT-2, the new tech “enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent IDs such as driver’s licenses and passports at a checkpoint and increases efficiency by automatically verifying a passenger’s identification,” Christopher Murgia, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland, said in a recent TSA press release. “This helps ensure that we know who is boarding flights.”

With CAT-2, the unit takes your photo and compares it to the face on your ID. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farstein explained how it works:

Farstein added:

The technology enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents at the security checkpoint. The photos are not saved and are only used to match the person standing at the travel document checking podium with the photo on the ID that is being presented. (2 of 3)

It’s a self-serve unit that reduces touchpoints: insert the ID—no handing a boarding pass or ID to a TSA officer. The benefits include improved efficiency, convenience for travelers, and enhanced security. (3 of 3)

That was not good news for this lady, huh?

According to the Dep’t of Homeland Security, the procedure for CAT-2 is as follows:

Passenger presents digital ID at the TDC (read: Travel Document Checkpoint) to engage CAT-2 to prompt the use of the digital ID.

The passenger’s device prompts the passenger to provide consent to securely transmit the requested data (i.e., name, gender, date of birth, and photo) to TSA. The digital ID is submitted to CAT-2.

CAT-2 takes a live picture of the passenger for a 1:1 match against the portrait image from the digital ID.

CAT-2 verifies biometric match, Secure Flight Vetting status (read: TSA PreCheck or other status), ID authentication, and itinerary information by verifying the digital ID is from the correct issuing authority (read: they can tell if you have fake ID).

CAT-2 confirms passenger identity, and TSO directs the passenger to the appropriate screening lane or manually resolves in the event of a no-match outcome.

And if you don’t want your picture taken, TSA can and will still do a standard ID check, same as always.

https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2025/12/13/tsa-sees-when-they-scan-your-id/