"A traveler who shows up at a TSA checkpoint would, it appears, be told they have to install the mobile app, pay a fee through the app (which presumably would require a credit or debit card or bank account), complete the in-app questioning, and show a “pass” result from the app to the TSA staff or contractors in order to “complete screening” and proceed through the checkpoint."
Install an app that does god only know on your cell. Hard pass. I keep debating just downgrading to dumb phone, but something always stops me ( right now it is playing with Pinephone ).
This, naturally, does not change the actual outcome ( can't fly without complying with TSA demands ), but I thankfully do not fly a lot these days.
Most people don't fly a lot these days... That's still not an excuse for allowing TSA expansion of authority beyond that which is reasonably essential for their function.
I agree completely. I do feel a little ashamed that I abdicate my responsibility to resist this idiocy, but I am also pointing it out as a matter of fact. The few times that I do fly, I opt out.
Do you simply show your phone screen to them? Seems like a bit of a security flaw, given that I can just mock up a “pass” screen and show it to the TSA agent, no?
The system shall be able to generate both a human-readable and machine-readable result.
i. The objective is to display to a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) that a
passenger has a “pass” or a “fail” status
ii. A machine-readable form factor should include the capability to be read by TSA’s
Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) machine, e.g., a PDF 417 barcode or a
Checksum format
1. Data in the machine readable zone would include Name, DOB, and Gender
to facilitate real-time Secure Flight screening
So I guess the machine-readable output could include some verification that it was not just a "PASS" JPG.
It actually is a decent enough RFI.
I've had to fly (accidentally) without an ID a few times and it is kind of annoying. I'd be happy if I could have used something like this instead.
I literally don’t have enough space on my iPhone se and always forget my App Store password because I so rarely use it. And I make decent money so I could afford a new phone.
But people who can’t afford a new phone, I’ve met many, will be unable to fly in the same circumstances that people with money can without a problem.
It’s a class system.
Not to mention older people who are sometimes technologically challenged.
If the app is purely optional and has no influence on the decision other than efficiency, then it’s acceptable.
Someone else could use the app and send their image to the friend who wants to fly. Though I imagine it could be something smart like the app for UK bus passes where the background contains an animation or Apple when you scan a phone to upgrade from.
Why not use double phone? I’m afraid you need a bit cash to afford privacy but you can use a cheap smart phone to install this app then put it to faraday cage throughout your travels. Basically a travel only phone.
Install an app that does god only know on your cell. Hard pass. I keep debating just downgrading to dumb phone, but something always stops me ( right now it is playing with Pinephone ).
This, naturally, does not change the actual outcome ( can't fly without complying with TSA demands ), but I thankfully do not fly a lot these days.