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JFK, LAX To Test Millimeter-Wave Scanners

Posted by timothy on from the actually-frauelein-we-no-longer-ask-for-papers dept.

Narrative Fallacy writes "The Transportation Security Administration has announced that it's beginning pilot tests of millimeter wave scanning technology at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) that allow TSA personnel to see concealed weapons and other items that may be hidden beneath clothes. TSA Administrator Kip Hawley says that that the potentially revealing body scans (YouTube) would not be stored and that 90% of passengers subject to secondary screening opt for a millimeter wave scan over a pat-down. The agency added that security officers viewing the scans would do so remotely, where they will not be able to recognize passengers but will be able to trigger an alarm if needed. The agency also said that a blurring algorithm is applied to passengers' faces in scanned images as an additional privacy protection."

3 of 235 comments (clear)

  1. In use at London Heathrow, but... by MadCow42 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I had this happen at London Heathrow. I was selected for secondary scanning, and directed to the mm-wave device. The operator was sitting in a booth right beside the machine, but only he could see the screen.

    The thing that really annoyed me is that I wasn't given a choice - simply told to go through this device. There was no explanation of what it was, or what it would do, only that "the amount of radiation is about the same as flying for an additional 5 minutes at altitude in a plane". However, when I asked the simple question "do I have to?", they sheepishly admitted that I did not. I signed a form saying that I didn't accept it, and they walked me to the front of the line for normal security!

    So, by saying "no", I actually saved about 20 minutes in line.

    My advice - REFUSE to participate in invasive scans like this. If people accept these new intrusions like sheep, it'll just keep getting worse.

    MadCow.

    --
    I used to have a sig, but I set it free and it never came back.
  2. so they'll be checking kids too? by owlnation · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Airport security -- first job choice for pedophiles now. The government spends half its energy trying to catch people looking at kids in their underwear, and then the other half making sure some people can get a good clear view.

  3. Medical privacy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm a transsexual, and this would totally out me (people generally can't tell). As if I need people to find more excuses to give me shit.