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The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has announced that they will be rolling out “whole body imaging” technology in 20 airports around the US in 2009. The TSA is currently using “millimeter wave” whole body imaging in six target airports, and they report a widespread public acceptance – 98 percent of passengers will submit to a whole-body imaging machine than a backroom pat-down and hours of harassment. How surprising.
As you can see from the whole body imaging pictures and video to the left, whole body imaging is a fairly invasive procedure. Some people are starting to resist, citing privacy concerns. One group, “Privacy Coalition,” has promised to fight these machines, which show a nice naked photo for the airport technician to look for concealed weapons.
“Whole body imaging technologies are completely voluntary and safe for passengers,” according to the TSA website. Call me crazy, but that sort of tone sets off my internal paranoia alarm.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center has said that whole body imaging screenings go beyond what’s necessary for public safety and is a step in the wrong direction. Is the implementation of these machines just a violation of American’s privacy? Are there really that many people trying to smuggle guns and knives onto planes that metal detectors can’t find?
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