Move to limit use of 'invasive' full-body scanners

[philw]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25603113-2,00.html

Bill to limit full-body scanners
Passed with overwhelming support
Could have worldwide implications
A PASSENGER campaign to stop images of their private parts being shown in airport scanners is a step closer to success with the passing of a US Bill limiting the use of the controversial devices.

The Bill bans full-body scanners as the sole or primary method of screening at US airports, allowing their use only when another method of screening demonstrates the need for further testing.

The Bill was passed 310-118 amid ongoing concerns the full-body imaging technology acts as an intrusive "virtual strip search".

The move could also have worldwide implications on the use of the technology.

The scanners, which went on trial in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide last October, use radio waves to form a 360-degree, three-dimensional image of a person’s body beneath their clothes in order to check them for weapons.

US Representative Jason Chaffetz, who sponsored the Bill, said there was no need for the "intrusive" technology and expressed concern there was no guarantee the pictures wouldn’t end up being saved or copied.

“There comes a point when, in the name of safety and security, we overstep that line, and we have an invasion of privacy,” Mr Chaffetz told The Salt Lake Tribune.

“You don’t need to look at my wife and eight-year-old daughter naked to secure that aeroplane.”

The US Civil Liberties Union backed the Bill, arguing the images produced are humiliating and an assault. Meanwhile, the European Union has also expressed concerns about the technology and have called for safeguards to prevent the revealing images from being stored or published.

"I think this is an offence against human dignity. Using this technology does not make us safer," said the leader of the assembly's Socialist group, Martin Schulz.

"These are machines that allow for you to be seen totally naked," Mr Schulz said.

The technology faced similar opposition when it was unveiled here, with civil liberty experts calling it intrusive.

Adelaide University civil liberties expert Allan Perry said the technology could breach people's privacy if used as a general measure for all passengers rather than those identified as a security risk.

"If this is done on a widespread basis without selectivity it certainly goes beyond an appropriate balance of personal privacy and security," he said.

There are 19 airports in the US testing the new technology. The machines are used as a primary screening device in six of those airports, and the US Transportation Security Administration says that up to 99 per cent of passengers have opted to undergo the screening, “demonstrating a widespread public acceptance of it”.

The Bill now faces the Senate, where it runs the risk of being dismissed.

[tombogan03884]

  The idea of using a technology that might be effective and will make flying more convenient flies in the face of current govt theories. The more annoying we make the system the less likely a terrorist is to put up with standing around waiting to blow himself up.

[Green Mountain Gringo]

  The more annoying we make the system the less likely a terrorist is to put up with standing around waiting to blow himself up.

Has a terrorist attack EVER taken place at the DMV?   

I think you're on to something Tom.

[Texas_Bryan]

  The idea of using a technology that might be effective and will make flying more convenient flies in the face of current govt theories. The more annoying we make the system the less likely a terrorist is to put up with standing around waiting to blow himself up.

Last time I checked, terrorist made it a point to blow themselves up at the check points.  I don't think a scanning machine is going to stop that, but the domestic Islamic extremist's incompetentcy does a pretty good job of that.

[fightingquaker13]

  The idea of using a technology that might be effective and will make flying more convenient flies in the face of current govt theories. The more annoying we make the system the less likely a terrorist is to put up with standing around waiting to blow himself up.

Its worked on me. I'm not afraid to fly, but I am claustaphobic. Being stuck on an airplane is my version of hell. I went to Alsaka once and loved it, but if my flight to Juneau hadn't gotten delayed 4 hours (forcing me to spend some quality time at a micro-brew bar in the airport and get suffiently lubricated for my flight) I would have gone insane. As it is, the extra security now gives me a good excuse not to fly again. If I can't get there via "Air F150" I ain't going. I don't care if you do pay the tab.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[Texas_Bryan]

Its worked on me. I'm not afraid to fly, but I am claustaphobic. Being stuck on an airplane is my version of hell. I went to Alsaka once and loved it, but if my flight to Juneau hadn't gotten delayed 4 hours (forcing me to spend some quality time at a micro-brew bar in the airport and get suffiently lubricated for my flight) I would have gone insane. As it is, the extra security now gives me a good excuse not to fly again. If I can't get there via "Air F150" I ain't going. I don't care if you do pay the tab.
FQ13

The best way to travel.  Never explodes, plummets out of the air, or catches on fire, plus no one in a police uniform tries to rape search me, but I guess that's half the fun.  And I always take advantage of a chance to see some country, specialy in Texas.

[Badgersmilk]

Flying in ANY plane is 100% safe!  It's the sudden, unexpected end to the flight you need to worry about.

If they just sedated everybody upon bourding it would solve so many problems!

[fightingquaker13]

Flying in ANY plane is 100% safe!  It's the sudden, unexpected end to the flight you need to worry about.

If they just sedated everybody upon bourding it would solve so many problems!

You know, I will always remember the PAINFULLY  PC Department head at a Quaker school where I once taught (and this is coming from me). She said post 911, that every plane should have a pig on board, fliers should be required to down a bourbon and pork rind shooter, and wipe their mouths with a page of the Koran. Now THAT is airline security.
FQ13

[BAC]

I'd like to submit my list of candidates for testing the new scanner.     

[philw]

I'd like to submit my list of candidates for testing the new scanner.     

I like your thinking