Is Clear App Safe?

If you use or plan to use the Clear app, you need to know: Is the Clear app safe? 

Below, we explain whether the Clear app is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this app. 

What Is Clear App?

The Clear app is a biometric identity verification app primarily used in airports, stadiums, and similar venues across the US. 

It was developed by the company Clear.

With the app, you can bypass traditional security lines at airports, sports arenas, and other venues and instead confirm your identity through facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. 

The app also has features like Health Pass, which links your identity with health data, such as vaccination status, for safe entry into events or workplaces. 

A newer feature called Home to Gate integrates traffic data and airport walking times to help you plan when to leave home so you can arrive at your gate on time. 

The app is particularly popular among frequent travelers, as it speeds up the security process at more than 50 US airports and various venues.

Is the Clear App Safe?

Depends on your definition of “safe.” 

Clear uses facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to verify identities, which can be more secure than traditional identification methods. By linking biometric data with a person’s verified identity, the app can reduce the risk of identity fraud. 

That said, there have been incidents where Clear allowed people using false identities to pass through its authentication system. 

On its website, Clear says it protects sensitive user data (e.g., biometric data and government-issued IDs) with security measures that include:

• Encryption.
• Firewalls.
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems.
• Multi-factor authentication.
• Privacy and security training.
• Personnel security. 

Clear has been certified by the Department of Homeland Security for meeting the government standards for protecting sensitive information. 

TSA also found that Clear meets the NIST 800-53 HIGH baseline for security and privacy controls. 

Plus, its security program was apparently implemented in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-53 rev 4 (a security framework). 

The Clear app has a 4.3 out of 5.0-star rating (from 55,427 ratings and 1m+ downloads) on the Google Play Store and a 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating (from 450,735 ratings) on the App Store. 

No data breaches have been associated with the Clear app at the time of writing.

Is the Clear App Private?

Again, depends on your definition of “private.” 

The company collects a lot of personal information, as per its privacy policy, including biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial recognition) as well as health-related information via its Health Pass feature. 

It uses your personal data to improve its service offerings, ensure security, comply with legal obligations, and tailor its communications and advertisements to your interests.

It says it never sells or rents your personal information. 

Clear lets you exercise your privacy rights (know, access, correct, restrict the processing of, and delete your personal data) regardless of where you live. 

Privacy advocates are generally concerned about the long-term implications of storing biometric data. Unlike easily changeable information (e.g., passwords), biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and facial scans) are permanent. You can’t change your fingerprint if it’s compromised. 

There’s also the issue of data sharing. Clear shares information with its partners, including airlines and venues, to provide its services. 

Although Clear states in its privacy policy that this is done securely and with user consent, some users may be uncomfortable with how much control they have over where and how their data is shared​.

Clear may also disclose your information to law enforcement. 

Clear’s privacy policy is flagged with a “Warning” by the Common Sense Privacy Program. This means Clear “Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.” 

The Common Sense Privacy Program notes that while personal data is not sold or rented to third parties, personal data is shared for third-party marketing, personalized ads are displayed, third parties collect data for their own usage, and users’ information is used to track and target ads on other third-party websites or services.

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy On the Clear App

Follow the below steps for a safer and more private experience when using the Clear app. 

• Limit personal data sharing. Only provide the necessary information required for the service you need. For example, if you only need Clear for airport security, don’t use its additional features like Health Pass or link more accounts than necessary. 
• Review app permissions. Check what permissions you’ve granted the Clear app and turn off any that are not necessary. You can do this in your device’s app settings.
• Regularly update your privacy settings. Check your privacy settings occasionally to ensure they still match your preferences. 
• Monitor privacy updates. Keep an eye on Clear’s privacy policies for any updates.
• Exercise your privacy rights. Regardless of where you live, Clear lets you exercise your privacy rights to know, access, correct, restrict the processing of, and delete your personal data. You can do so by emailing privacy@clearme.com, calling 1-855-253-2763, submitting a request online (access and deletion requests only), or writing to CLEAR, Attention: Chief Privacy Officer, 85 10th Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10011
• Opt out of marketing emails. You can opt out of Clear marketing emails by replying to marketing emails with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line or emailing privacy@clearme.com with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line and your name in the email’s body.