united-states police evidence recording travel
Is it legal to record TSA agents?
<p>Flying through security checkpoints in the US, I have seen and experienced passengers getting chewed out for choosing opt-out pat-down screening, with agents being extremely annoyed about the extra time required and ranting about how terrible the consequences would be if everybody did so.  Such passengers sometimes lose property beyond prohibited items, and are powerless to do anything about it.</p>

<p>If the passenger tries to complain after, the TSA can simply deny the truth and claim it doesn't happen, or claim the passenger was doing something wrong. The passenger may not have any access to TSA video records which would disprove their claims, as that's considered secret, unless the records clearly show that the passenger was in fact in the wrong.  Signs in security screening areas clearly prohibit recording, communicating the message that the passenger cannot have any recording evidence and their word is easily discounted compared to someone in uniform.  </p>

<p>The elimination of ways in which officers can be held accountable opens the door to abuse of power (regardless of whether or not agents legally have much power) and leads to more situations in which the accountability is desired/necessary.  </p>

<p>What does the law actually say regarding passengers' rights (or prohibitions) on recording interactions with TSA officers?  What punishments are they allowed to institute on a passenger who attempts to record, beyond seizure of the passenger's property and detention past the passenger's flight departure time?  </p>

<p><a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/can-i-film-and-take-photos-security-checkpoint" rel="noreferrer">TSA states</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>TSA does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at
  security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not
  interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.</p>
  
  <p>Interference with screening includes but is not limited to holding a
  recording device up to the face of a TSA officer so that the officer
  is unable to see or move, refusing to assume the proper stance during
  screening, blocking the movement of others through the checkpoint or
  refusing to submit a recording device for screening.</p>
  
  <p>Additionally, you may not film or take pictures of equipment monitors
  that are shielded from public view.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Since it is not forbidden, the law doesn't directly say anything: your right to photograph and the absence of any prohibition from the 1st Amendment. So they may not punish you at all for photographing them.</p>
