Shanghai Airport facial recognition fails, woman told to remove makeup

Key Takeaways

• In September 2024, a woman at Shanghai Airport was stopped due to facial recognition failing because of heavy makeup.
• Facial recognition is mandatory at many airports; U.S. TSA uses it at 80 airports as of December 2024.
• Challenges include technical limits, privacy concerns, and staff needing training to treat travelers respectfully.

A recent incident at Shanghai Airport has brought new attention to the challenges and controversies surrounding facial recognition technology in air travel. In September 2024, a Chinese woman was stopped at a security checkpoint when the airport’s facial recognition scanners failed to identify her. The reason? Airport officials said she was wearing “too much” makeup. The event, captured on video and widely shared on Chinese social media months later, has sparked a heated debate about the reliability of biometric systems, personal privacy, and the right to self-expression.

This story is more than just a viral moment. It highlights real concerns for travelers, airport staff, and anyone interested in how technology is changing the way we move across borders. As facial recognition becomes more common in airports around the world, incidents like this raise important questions: How reliable are these systems? What happens when technology clashes with personal choices like makeup or plastic surgery? And how should airports balance security with respect for travelers’ dignity?

What Happened at Shanghai Airport?

The incident took place at Shanghai Airport in September 2024. A young woman, described by her friend as wearing “bridal-level” makeup, was stopped at a facial recognition checkpoint. The airport’s scanners could not match her face to the photo on her passport. In a video that later went viral, airport staff can be seen instructing her to remove her makeup using wet wipes. The official tells her, “Wipe everything off until you look like your passport photo. Why would you do your makeup like that? You are asking for trouble.”

The woman, visibly embarrassed, complies with the instructions while the staff member continues to scold her. The video shows her struggling to remove her makeup in front of other passengers. It is unclear from the footage whether she was eventually allowed to pass through the checkpoint after cleaning her face.

This moment, though personal and uncomfortable for the woman involved, has become a symbol of the growing pains associated with the use of facial recognition in public spaces.

Public Reaction: Humor, Sympathy, and Criticism

The video quickly gained millions of views on Chinese social media platforms. People reacted in different ways:

• Some found humor in the situation, joking about the difference between online filters and real life. One commenter wrote, “It’s not like she was able to walk around with a filter on in real life, right?”
• Others felt sympathy for the woman, noting her embarrassment and the harsh tone of the airport staff. Many said the official’s comments were unnecessary, with one person stating, “She was already wiping her makeup off and embarrassed enough. There was no need for you to keep going on like some naggy boomer.”
• Many questioned the technology itself, asking why the facial recognition system could not handle changes in appearance. One user wondered, “No matter how thick the makeup is, the face shouldn’t be unrecognizable, right? Isn’t it time to upgrade the equipment?”

The incident has clearly touched a nerve, raising questions not just about technology, but also about how people are treated in public spaces and the expectations placed on travelers.

How Facial Recognition Works—and Where It Fails

Facial recognition technology uses cameras and computer programs to scan a person’s face and compare it to a stored image, such as a passport photo. The system looks at features like the distance between the eyes, the shape of the nose, and the outline of the jaw. If the system finds enough similarities, it confirms the person’s identity.

But the technology is not perfect. Heavy makeup, plastic surgery, aging, or even changes in hairstyle can confuse the system. In the Shanghai Airport case, the woman’s makeup was so different from her passport photo that the scanner could not make a match.

This is not the first time such problems have occurred. There have been previous reports of Chinese women having trouble re-entering the country after getting facial plastic surgery in South Korea. Their new appearance was so different from their passport photos that facial recognition systems could not identify them.

The Global Rise of Facial Recognition in Airports

Shanghai Airport is not alone in using facial recognition. Airports around the world are adopting this technology to speed up security checks and boarding processes. Here are some key facts:

• Biometric boarding is now mandatory at many major international airports. Travelers often do not need to show their boarding passes or passports at multiple checkpoints, as their faces serve as their identification.
• In the United States 🇺🇸, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rolled out facial recognition at 80 airports as of December 2024. There are plans to expand this to all airports nationwide.
• A new rule takes effect on May 7, 2025, requiring all U.S. domestic air travelers to present Real ID-compliant identification. This is part of a broader push to improve security and standardize identification.
• Major airlines are also using facial recognition. Delta Air Lines has introduced its Digital ID system at six major hubs, while United Airlines uses biometric verification for TSA PreCheck members.

These changes are designed to make air travel faster and more secure. But as the Shanghai Airport incident shows, they can also create new problems for travelers.

Technical and Social Challenges

The use of facial recognition in airports brings both technical and social challenges:

Technical Limitations

• Appearance Changes: As seen in Shanghai, heavy makeup, plastic surgery, or even aging can make it hard for facial recognition systems to identify people. The technology is still learning to handle these variations.
• Algorithmic Bias: Some facial recognition systems work better for certain groups of people than others. For example, studies have shown that these systems may have more trouble recognizing women, people with darker skin, or older adults. This raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment.
• Equipment Quality: Some social media users suggested that the problem at Shanghai Airport might be due to outdated or low-quality scanners. Upgrading equipment could help, but it is not a complete solution.

Social and Privacy Concerns

• Public Embarrassment: The woman at Shanghai Airport was forced to remove her makeup in public, which many people found humiliating. This raises questions about how airport staff should handle such situations with sensitivity and respect.
• Personal Expression: Makeup is a form of self-expression for many people. Requiring travelers to look exactly like their passport photos can feel restrictive and unfair, especially when those photos may be several years old.
• Privacy and Data Security: The expansion of facial recognition has led to concerns about how personal data is collected, stored, and used. Lawmakers in the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries are calling for stronger rules to protect people’s privacy and prevent misuse of biometric data.

What Are the Rules for Travelers?

Travelers using airports with facial recognition systems should be aware of a few key points:

• Your appearance should match your passport or ID photo as closely as possible. This means avoiding drastic changes in makeup, hairstyle, or facial features before traveling.
• If you have had recent plastic surgery or other major changes to your face, consider updating your passport photo. This can help prevent problems at security checkpoints.
• Be prepared for extra screening if the system cannot identify you. This may include manual checks by airport staff or being asked to remove makeup or accessories.
• Know your rights. If you feel you are being treated unfairly or your privacy is being violated, you can ask to speak to a supervisor or file a complaint with airport authorities.

For more information on how facial recognition is used in U.S. airports and what travelers should expect, the official TSA Biometrics Information Page provides up-to-date details on current policies and procedures.

The Human Side: Balancing Security and Dignity

The Shanghai Airport incident is a reminder that technology, while powerful, is not always sensitive to human needs. Security is important, but so is treating travelers with dignity and respect. When systems fail, it is up to airport staff to handle the situation with care.

Many people who saw the video felt that the airport official’s comments were unnecessary and made the woman’s experience worse. As airports continue to use facial recognition, staff training on how to manage these situations will be just as important as the technology itself.

What Can Be Done to Improve the System?

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the rapid spread of facial recognition in airports is likely to continue, but improvements are needed to make the process fairer and more reliable. Here are some possible steps:

• Better Technology: Developers can work on making facial recognition systems more flexible, so they can handle changes in makeup, hairstyle, or aging.
• Regular Equipment Updates: Airports should invest in the latest scanners and software to reduce errors and improve accuracy.
• Clear Guidelines for Travelers: Airports and airlines should provide clear, simple instructions about what is expected at facial recognition checkpoints. This can help travelers avoid surprises and embarrassment.
• Staff Training: Airport staff should be trained to handle identification problems with sensitivity and respect, avoiding public shaming or harsh language.
• Privacy Protections: Governments and airport authorities should put strong rules in place to protect travelers’ biometric data and ensure it is not misused.

Implications for Different Groups

For Travelers

• Be aware of how your appearance may affect facial recognition. If you plan to wear heavy makeup or have recently changed your appearance, consider bringing extra identification or updating your passport photo.
• Expect possible delays or extra checks if the system cannot identify you. Stay calm and cooperate with staff, but know your rights if you feel uncomfortable.

For Airport Staff

• Handle identification problems with care and respect. Remember that travelers may feel embarrassed or stressed, especially in public settings.
• Follow clear procedures and avoid making personal comments about travelers’ appearance. Focus on solving the problem, not assigning blame.

For Policymakers

• Monitor the impact of facial recognition on different groups. Watch for signs of bias or unfair treatment, and adjust policies as needed.
• Strengthen privacy protections and data security rules. Make sure travelers’ biometric information is safe and used only for its intended purpose.

For Technology Developers

• Work on making facial recognition systems more accurate and flexible. Test the technology with a wide range of faces, skin tones, and appearance changes.
• Listen to feedback from real users and airport staff. Use this information to improve the system and reduce errors.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Facial Recognition in Travel

Facial recognition is likely to become even more common in airports and other public spaces in the coming years. The technology promises faster, more secure travel, but it also brings new challenges. Incidents like the one at Shanghai Airport show that there is still work to be done to make these systems fair, reliable, and respectful of people’s rights.

Travelers should stay informed about the rules and be prepared for possible issues at facial recognition checkpoints. Airports and airlines must balance security needs with respect for personal dignity. Policymakers and technology companies have a responsibility to make sure the systems are safe, fair, and protect people’s privacy.

As the world moves toward more automated and biometric forms of identification, open discussion and careful planning will be key. The Shanghai Airport incident is a reminder that technology should serve people—not the other way around.

Practical Takeaways

• If you are traveling through an airport with facial recognition, try to match your appearance to your passport photo as closely as possible.
• If you have changed your appearance significantly, update your official documents to avoid problems.
• Know your rights and be prepared to ask for help if you feel uncomfortable or unfairly treated.
• Stay informed about new rules and technologies by checking official sources like the TSA Biometrics Information Page.

Facial recognition technology is changing the way we travel, but it is not without its flaws. By staying aware and prepared, travelers can help ensure a smoother journey—even if it means thinking twice about that extra layer of makeup before heading to the airport.

Learn Today

Facial Recognition → Technology that analyzes facial features to verify a person’s identity using cameras and computer algorithms.
Biometric Boarding → An airport process where biometric data like facial scans replace physical boarding passes for identification.
Algorithmic Bias → Tendency of facial recognition systems to inaccurately identify certain demographic groups, causing unfair treatment.
Real ID → A U.S. federally compliant identification standard required for domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.
Biometric Data → Personal biological information such as facial features collected and used for identity verification.

This Article in a Nutshell

A woman at Shanghai Airport in September 2024 was stopped as facial recognition scanners failed due to her heavy makeup. The incident sparked debates on biometric technology’s reliability, privacy, and traveler dignity, highlighting challenges of facial recognition systems used globally in airports.
— By VisaVerge.com