More Than Meets The Eye
The Transportation Security Agency (further referred to as the “TSA”) has been hatching plans to start full body scanning, and implement this into airport security terminals across the nation. There was a bit a bit of controversy about this practice, and when called to the attention of the House Of Representatives, was banned in a 310-118 vote.
Privacy groups have claimed that the scanner can show in detail things that are meant to be hidden. “Even genitalia can be discerned in the scan”, some claim. TSA representatives on the other hand, assert that the imager is invades privacy only minimally, and even offers a “privacy algorithm” to further distort sensitive areas on travelers.
The House’s amendment says that these screenings may not be used as the primary form of passenger screenings, and those who refuse the image scanner will be given a less invasive pat down. Senator Chaffetz makes a bold statement on the House’s condemnation: “No one needs to see my wife and kids naked to ensure the security of an airplane.”
The TSA argues the power of these devices though. They insist they are safe for even frequent flyers, and that they can detect hidden threats not even the strongest metal detector could. Still, many people and organizations called to suspend the this technology until an in-depth privacy analysis could be done.
The TSA is currently employing the technology at 19 airports across the U.S. At a recent convention, TSA representative Peter Pietra defended the image scanner: “Much work has gone into this… I personally prefer them. They are much more efficient than a pat down search or a metal detector.”
The TSA is currently accepting any suggestions to improve privacy for flyers at tsaprivacy@dhs.gov.
The government is currently deciding whether to abolish the technology for good, or to keep it as an open option.
