The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will require an increasing number of Clear users to verify their identity by showing a valid form of identification, rolling back the current Clear process for some, both entities confirmed to TPG.
“The rate at which random ID checks occur has varied over the years based on a number of factors, similar to TSA’s own practice of randomization in their screening activities,” per a Clear spokesperson.
Prior to the TSA’s decision, all Clear users could skip the normal three-step TSA screening process by confirming their identity biometrically (via a fingerprint or iris scan) at a kiosk instead of waiting for the TSA to inspect their government ID and check their boarding pass.
After the scanner has verified a passenger’s identity, a Clear representative escorts the traveler to the actual security screening area (either the regular TSA line or TSA PreCheck), bypassing everyone waiting in the first line.
Moving forward, the TSA will require more Clear users to provide a government ID when checking their boarding pass as the final step to approach the security screening area while acknowledging that rate always fluctuates.
The change is allegedly due to a security incident last year involving a Clear user, according to The Washington Post. Neither the TSA nor Clear would confirm the incident to TPG. Currently, Clear is available for travelers at more than 50 airports, plus stadiums and other large venues.
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“TSA is responsible for ensuring that all systems and programs, including those provided by private companies, meet requisite standards and will take necessary steps to ensure security needs are met,” a TSA spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Accurate and reliable verification of passenger identity is foundational to aviation security and effective screening by TSA.”
In response to this change, the Clear spokesperson told TPG that the private expedited security provider has been “collaborating with DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) and TSA since 2020 to implement new industry-wide digital identity standards.”
“Consistent with TSA’s long-term roadmap, CLEAR has been collaborating with DHS and TSA since 2020 to implement new industry-wide digital identity standards. The implementation of these new standards will digitally transmit a passenger’s identifying information from CLEAR to next-generation TSA hardware at airport checkpoints and avoid any need for passengers to show their IDs,” per a Clear spokesperson.
Clear expects to implement these processes in the future, allowing for a passenger’s identifying information to be digitally transmitted from Clear to next-generation TSA hardware at airport checkpoints. This will avoid any need for passengers to show their IDs.
“We look forward to rolling this out in the future to create an even more seamless, secure traveler experience while avoiding disruption for passengers as travel continues to surge,” according to Clear.
For now, though, most travelers 18 and older must show valid identification — such as a U.S. passport or driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles — at TSA checkpoints. State-issued IDs must be Real ID compliant starting May 7, 2025.
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