 Here's what they don't want you to know. OK, is that you don't really have to do this. You can opt out. OK, in case you're wondering if you're a U.S. citizen, your photos kept up to 12 hours after this verification. Now, if you're not a citizen, too bad for you. It's kept in the database. But as I mentioned, signs are supposed to be up that you can opt out. But I tell you, I went through TSA a couple of weeks ago.