The Clear company has installed a new biometric technology in the Newark Liberty International airport, in New Jersey, and many people are wondering what this means for travelers and if it affects the use of the Real ID. Of course, these concerns are normal because this type of technology can sound very complex. This is why we are going to explain everything to you in a very simple way. So, let’s get started!
How does this new technology work?
The Clear company announced the arrival of new automated biometric gates called eGates at the Newark airport. These new gates are designed to verify your identity in real time by using a biometric process, comparing your face with your ID data and your boarding pass. The goal is that the passenger goes through the security check faster and without having to stop with a TSA officer.
If your face and all the data coincide, the gate opens and you can directly go to the physical security control. Don’t think you won’t go through all controls, this just makes them faster.
What’s more, these same gates had already been installed at LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK airports, so now the three major airports around New York City have this modern system.
Importance of Clear’s technology
Clear explained that this innovation is part of TSA efforts to modernize the U.S. airports, and the intention is to improve 3 main points:
- Safety
- Customers service
- Passenger’s experience
Although Clear offers the technology, TSA still has total control over the process. This means that:
- Clear cannot open the gates manually
- Clear cannot override TSA decisions
- Clear cannot access watchlists or security databases
- TSA approves each traveler who goes through the eGate
Is the Real ID still necessary?
One of the most important questions is if this new technology will remove the necessity of carrying a physical identification, like the Real ID. The answer? No, it won’t disappear.
The Clear Plus service, one of the paid memberships, helps speed up the passenger’s process thanks to special lanes and thanks to this new technology. However, according to a Clear representative, even members still need to carry: A valid ID that meets Real ID law or a passport.
The TSA also confirmed this: even though the technology is approved, every passenger must carry a valid physical identification to be able to travel. So, this technology speeds up the process but it doesn’t substitute official documents.
Why the eGates are being installed now
The eGates started to be installed in August of 2025 with a very clear purpose: prepare airports for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s expected that more than 20 million international visitors will arrive in the U.S. to go to the matches. What’s more, national traffic will also increase in the host cities.
Having this in mind, safety controls could collapse, but Clear and the TSA are working together to achieve the accesses are faster and more efficient. For example, these gates are functioning in places like Atlanta, Ronald Reagan (Washington), and Seattle-Tacoma.
Clear will continue spreading this technology to more airports across its national airport network ahead of the World Cup.
So…
As the United States prepares for millions of visitors during the 2026 World Cup, these upgrades couldn’t come at a better time. Airports are getting smarter, lines are getting shorter, and the entire travel experience is transforming—one gate at a time.
Clear’s eGates aren’t just new machines. They’re a sign that air travel is changing, and for once, it’s changing in a way that benefits all of us. Ready or not, the future of airport security has officially arrived—and it’s looking faster than ever.