Chelsea E. Shambley
Blog #4
15 February 2011
5:05 pm
United States Senators Charles Schumer and Ben Nelson recently proposed a bill to protect airport body scan images, in response to many privacy concerns voiced by airline passengers. Several complaints have been voiced about the Advanced Imaging Technology (ATI) scanners used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) used in various airports. The proposed bill would make the misuse of airport body scan images a federal crime, punishable by up to a year in prison and fines of up to $100,000 per violation. The scanners were designed to detect non-metallic weapons and explosives concealed under a passenger’s clothing, but many complaints have been made of the three-dimensional images of passengers, writing them off as “overly invasive and equivalent to a physical strip search.” The groups that have voiced these complaints also challenge TSA claims about the ability of the machines to detect weapons. In defense, TSA insists that the scanners cannot store images, but they are willing to try a new software that would provide a generic body outline rather than the detailed three-dimensional images that are generated as of now. The proposed bill is currently being debated in Senate.
Believing the scanners could accurately point out any non-metallic weapons and explosives hidden on a passenger, I would be more comfortable boarding an airplane for a long flight; however, the idea of three-dimensional images of my body circulating the scanners is not comforting in the least. It is a shame that we have to result to things such as these new scanning machines, which practically strip you down on the machine, to feel safe traveling. In turn for our safety, travelers are completely stripped of their privacy. As the world is faced with more crime and airline threats, I hate to think about what measures will be taken in attempts to keep people everywhere “safe.”
http://www.pcworld.com/article/219042/Sens_Schumer_Nelson_propose_bill_to_protect_airport_body_scan_images.html?tk=rss_news
2 comments:
It sad what we have to do these days to get on a plane, but I rather know my safety is being put first even if the images are three-dimensional and show vivid images of myself. We have to take all precautions to make sure each flight goes smoothly. I understand that some people may be uncomfortable with this, but thing about the long run and what its ensuring to all passengers. We don't need something like 9/11 to ever happen again.
I think people are overreacting about this. The detailed scans don't show as much as people make it out to be. And it's not done for the public eye, either. It makes me uncomfotable to be pat down thoroughly but I'd rather have my personal bubbled popped for a moment if it means ensuring my safety. The likeliness of an event like 9/11 happening again is almost rare, but it is certainly not impossible and people did try after 9/11. The scan is not like taking a nude picture, it's more just getting a detailed look of what you're packing on your body. Unfortunately, people stash things in very odd places and the scan saves from an even more uncomfortable cavity search, or drugs or bombs getting on the plane.
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