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AENA under criticism: €10 million fine for facial recognition at Palma airport – a reality check

How Voluntary Is Facial Recognition at Palma Airport?

At Palma airport, the key issue is whether travelers have a real alternative to biometric boarding.

Published: April 22, 2026
AENA under criticism: €10 million fine for facial recognition at Palma airport – a reality check

Answer

Is facial recognition really voluntary at airports like Palma?

In practice, “voluntary” can be less straightforward if the alternative line is much slower or less clear. That is why privacy experts stress that travelers must have a genuinely equivalent option without biometric checks. At Palma airport, the fairness of the choice is part of the wider debate.

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