"Are You A Terrorist?" Asks US Airport Kiosk, Leaving Twitter In Splits

A picture of the “advanced level” of security at a US airport against terrorist threats has left social media guffawing. The image is from a self-check-in counter where the in-built system asks a person, “Are you a terrorist?”.  It also offers two options: “yes” or “no”.

Asaad Sam Hanna, a freelance journalist, shared the snapshot on Twitter with the caption, “Advanced level of security at the US airport”. 

Advanced level of security at the US airport. pic.twitter.com/j1AapagjbM

— Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) April 5, 2022

In a follow-up tweet, Mr  Hanna added, “Next level: Just be honest, dude.”

next level: Just be honest duddddddde

— Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) April 5, 2022

The post has racked up responses from amused social media users who wondered how asking this question was contributing to airport security since anyone could cheat the machine.

“I really don't understand how, since 9/11, our airport check-in has become more computerised, with much less human-to-human interactions. Given past observations by agents who have noticed suspicious behaviour seems like a bad thing for security,” a person wrote.

I really don't understand how, since 9/11, our airport check-in has become more computerized, w much less human to human interactions. Given past observations by agents who have noticed suspicious behavior, seems like a bad thing for security.

— Kerry Troup (@kerryktroup) April 5, 2022

However, another user explained that asking these types of questions may have merit. “If you are (a terrorist), and you lie, it's a way for law enforcement to bring additional charges.”

If you are, and you lie, it's way for law enforcement to bring additional charges. Then they will go for what they can make stick. Accused criminals have rights in the UA court system, so prosecutors have to prove their case. If you lie, establishes mens rea, intent to deceive.

— Lisa Borel (@lisaborel) April 6, 2022

The US has deployed these AI-powered self-check-in kiosks and cameras at airports across the country. As per a Discover Magazine report,  these machines use facial recognition technology and also capture biometric data of passengers flying into the country.