@dgar :sigh: This picture is too popular with people laughing and not thinking…
Realize the password "password" is NOT entirely silly. Neither is this gate. Yes!
I have a TRIVIAL password on my Kindle, to keep it from turning on in my bag. Works!
I don't know intent here, but this gate has crowd control & legal effect. It reduces numbers, and it makes it clear it is "closed". A rope line in the airport or at a theater is also a VERY soft barrier, and it also has very real crowd control value.