they have a copy of a static image that they likely already have access to. very different to a high res alternate image, from a different angle, with a different expression, in different lighting
It's only static if they aren't using AI to analyze the tons of images they have of you from security cameras etc. Google Photos can learn and search for faces of a person based on one confirmed face a person. I'm sure Facebook can as well. There's no reason to believe the Government or TSA is or isn't doing this.
The ePassport gates in at the UK border both scan your passport and take a picture to confirm that it is indeed you.
Since they already had my picture in the database from the passport I did not consider this an invasion of my privacy, and (for now) they are opt-in instead of opt-out.
Wait, what do they take a picture of, your passport or you?
You scan your passport, lean in for a picture of your face, and hand a receipt to a person on your way out.
Yes, except instead of a receipt the gate just opened and I went through.