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DHS Eyes Covert Body Scans

CWmike writes "Documents obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) suggest that the US Department of Homeland Security has signed contracts for the development of mobile and static systems that can be used scan pedestrians and people at rail and bus stations and special event venues — apparently at times without their knowledge. Under consideration: An Intelligent Pedestrian Surveillance platform; an X-Ray Backscatter system that could detect concealed metallic and high-density plastic objects on people from up to 10 meters away; a walk-through x-ray screening system that could be deployed at entrances to special events or other points of interest, which could be installed in corridors and likely scan people walking through it without them knowing it, EPIC said."

3 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. cant wait to see the excuse for reinterpreting the by Phizzle · · Score: 3, Funny

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
    They will probably use the olde Family guy argument -
    Peter: Brian, are you suggesting that 9/11 didn't change everything?
    Brian: What? No, I was just...
    Peter: 'Cause 9/11 changed everything, Brian! 9/11 changed everything!

    DAMN :(

    --
    I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.
  2. Re:No surprise really by Utini420 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh, don't bother, we can read them while they are still in your pocket.

    --
    A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
  3. Re:I think this is a good thing by Moryath · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can't just go around radiating people.

    Indeed. The laws of physics, specifically concerning the creation and destruction of matter and energy, would indicate that in order to "radiate people" you'd have to have not only one hell of an energy source on your person, but something akin to an insanely cool energy-to-matter converter capable of creating atoms in the precise configuration as to generate a person.

    Now, on the other hand, you may have meant "you can't just go around irradiating people", as in the verb irradiating, which means "exposing to radiation."