Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

In German Trials, Airport Body Scanners Easily Confused

Posted by timothy on from the bitte-to-be-straightening-dein-pleats-maedchen dept.

OverTheGeicoE writes "The German government just finished a 10-month test of millimeter-wave body scanners made by L3 Communications. It appears they are not happy with the results. The devices raise false alarms 7 times out of 10, and are confused by layered clothing, boots, zippers, pleats, and even incorrect posture. Australia recently started a trial, and the second person in at the Sydney airport set off the alarm repeatedly due to sweaty armpits."

4 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Ballmer by Alex+Belits · · Score: 5, Funny

    sweaty armpits

    Now you will never be able to deport Ballmer. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    --
    Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
  2. MIssion Accomplished by am+2k · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As far as I understand, the primary (and probably only) purpose of those scanners is to make their manufacturers a buttload of money. I think they're doing that perfectly fine, so it's definitely a success!

  3. Re:What technology is used by TSA? by Stormthirst · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Given that the Americans are insisting that these scanners are used globally[1], at least the Germans are concerned with the health and privacy of their citizens.

    [1] and you thought the TSA situation stinks - now Washington is bullying the EU into using them too. Citation? RTFA

  4. Re:What does "seven out of ten" mean here? by NixieBunny · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think the rate of actual terrorists is .000000001%, so essentially all positives are false positives.

    --
    The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.