TSA Whole Body Imaging

[crosseyed95]

Just got done reading the article on CNN concerning the TSA potentially using Whole Body Imaging. These images show a persons entire body including those unmentionable parts.

A TSA spokesperson says that they have multiple safeguards in place which includes having fuzzy images, blurring of the face, not allowing the employee viewing the image to see the person being scanned and not allowing cameras or cellphones. They also claim that the images will not be stored but deleted immediately.

Before I even get to the invasion of privacy and such, the thought of the TSA being trusted with this technology scares the crap out of me. This is the same agency that has admitted to having employee issues, bad hiring practices and the list goes on. I don't even trust them to not steal from my dive bags.

I realize that they have rights to strip search but they talk about using this technology in place of a pat down. Yes, they talk about it being voluntary but how long before it becomes mandatory with the excuse of convenience?

Am I off base on this one?

crosseyed95

crosseyed95

[CompuDude]

Old news... those reports first came out at least 6 months ago, if not a year. They discovered the "side effect" from some test units in Japan, if memory serves. Google should turn up the old news articles about it, including sample images. It's not as bad as you think, IMO.

Edit: Feb. 2007!

William & Mary ACS » Blog Archive » TSA Prepares to Scan Your Package

Technology News: Privacy: TSA Tests Security Scanner That Makes You Look Naked

TSA Backscatter or Body Imaging X-Ray Machines at Airports - TSA Millimeter Wave Image Machines at Airports

[crosseyed95]

That's good to hear. I must be out of the times since this was new for me.

Guess I'll go back to just being paranoid versus outright upset.

crosseyed95

[Splitlip]

Reminds of the security scanner at the spaceport in "Total Recall".

[Coastie6]

I heard the ACLU hoo haa when the first unit went online. Just not that concerned about it. IF (that's a big IF) it makes air travel and the U.S. safer, I'm OK with it. Besides, I doubt any TSA employee is going to get their kicks out of "Scanning my Package" That's a great title for that blog!

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by Coastie6

I heard the ACLU hoo haa when the first unit went online. Just not that concerned about it. IF (that's a big IF) it makes air travel and the U.S. safer, I'm OK with it. Besides, I doubt any TSA employee is going to get their kicks out of "Scanning my Package" That's a great title for that blog!

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"

-Benjamin Franklin

Frankly, I don't think TSA does much of anything to keep us safe... They just seem to annoy me most of the time. And screw those air puff tests too. Those things slow down security screening WAY TOO MUCH.

[Glub000]

I already feel safe since they started strip searching grandmas. Profiling would never work. Being politically correct is much more important.

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by hooligan

And screw those air puff tests too. Those things slow down security screening WAY TOO MUCH.

Well I failed one of those once and they went for the swab test, then went to run and talk with the supervisor. Great. I had been doing hike-in ski routes with my backpack in areas that were under avalanche control. Apparently it had a lot of residue on it. I got the special treatment for that one. The look on their eyes after that test though the guy looked at me like I was trying to walk though with a stick of dyamite...

[jbres1]

I for one hope they get the scanners up and running real soon.
I don't care if somebody looks at an x-ray of my body, if it gets me thru security quicker I'm all for it.
There could be 2 lines in security, 1 for those who are in a hurry , and 1 for those who want that personal pat down.
Jim Breslin

[paperdesk]

Originally Posted by hooligan

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"

-Benjamin Franklin

Thumbs up to that. It's a constant source of amazement to me to see what liberties the average citizen is willing to relinquish in exchange for convenience. I appreciate the government's desire to keep us safe, but some things just go too far.