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EU Approves Unified Full Body Scanner Regulations

Posted by Unknown on from the security-not-quite-worth-cancer dept.

OverTheGeicoE writes "The European Union has adopted a proposal to regulate airport body scanners at Member State airports. No Member State or airport is obligated to use scanners, but if they do, the scanners must conform to new European Union standards. Here's a partial list: Scanners must not store, retain, copy, print, or retrieve passenger images; the image viewer must be in a remote location; passengers must be informed how the scanners are being controlled; and can opt out if they choose. Perhaps most importantly: X-ray scanners are banned 'in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens' health and safety.'"

8 of 225 comments (clear)

  1. EU still has some sense left, compared to US by CmdrPony · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not only is EU not requiring their use, they are actually putting several limitations on how they're used and saying citizens can opt-out. Good job, EU!

    Now, if someone would just kick UK out of EU. It's almost as bad as US.

    1. Re:EU still has some sense left, compared to US by peppepz · · Score: 5, Informative
      According to the site of the european parliament, in the 2010 balance of the European Union, the "net contributors" to the EU are:
      1) Germany (19.6 %)
      2) France (18%)
      3) Italy (13.9 %)
      4) United Kingdom (10.4%)
      5) Spain (9.6%)

      Of course these numbers aren't too meaningful, because they don't track the indirect benefits that a member country enjoys for being in the EU. For example, the import fees paid by a country that is importing goods for China, appear as paid by that country in the balance, but they will actually be paid by the final customers of those goods in reality.

      But you can read that the image of France being a burden for other member states because of its agriculture subsidies is wrong: they pay to the EU more than what they actually receive, and in particular they pay almost twice as much as the UK.

      The problem with the UK in the EU is not economic, it's their political dissent every time that an EU treaty is to be made. Which stems from the fact that probably, most of the UK population is against the EU. I think the UK shoud solve this problem by clearly asking their citizens if they really want to be inside the EU. If the answer is negative, then the UK should withdraw from the union and leave it to the states who are actually interested in its construction.

      I'd rather take an EU that is 10% poorer but that works, instead of one that never acts because every decision is shot down by the crossed vetoes of the member states.

      The "two-speeds" union that is starting to delineate, with the members of the Euro zone having special government structures, might be a good step in this direction; but it's still too soon to tell.

  2. Ah the supreme irony.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Isn't it ironic that the country that epouses individuality above all and has and endemic "fear" of government is the one being fucked over security, while the europeans show a little bit of rational thought on this whole issue ?
    And for the note, we had had over the last 4 decades terrorism in europe, and we have coped to live with it. What did you say ? Our societies didn't collpase and we sure as hell didn't transform in some kind of paranoid security state.
    That 1997 Escape from New York was prophetic to a level you yankees can't even seem to fathom anymore.
    Enjoy your prison guys.

  3. Re:Sometimes they get it right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Technically your "home country ideals" are actually french. US constitution borrows from ideals of French Revolution extremely heavily.

    Hé, les américains! disparaissez de ma pelouse!

  4. Re:I wish more people.... by gulikoza · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I opted out at the JFK flying to Paris last month. The TSA agents were very professional, the pat-down wasn't as bad as advertised here sometimes (TBH, I've gotten more invasive pat-downs at some concerts or other public events...not related to airports at all!). They even took and carried all my carry-ons from the x-ray machine to the table so I had plenty of time to put everything together (laptop...) after the pat-down. I hate it when you have to rush, putting on the shoes and belt, storing laptop.... while people are waiting behind you at the carry-on x-ray.

  5. Re:Sometimes they get it right by rolfwind · · Score: 5, Informative

    where (in theory) the government can't expropriate your property for public interest

    Eminent domain.
    Kelo v. City of New London decision.
    Asset forfeiture (especially coupled with drug excuse).

  6. Re:I wish more people.... by clickety6 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wish more people would opt out

    I did. I just opted out of flying to the US altogether.

    --
    ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
  7. Re:I wish more people.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Modded funny - but I bet there are a lot more people, like myself, who are avoiding visiting the US for all the security idiocy. Whenever I need to fly (I live in Canada), I always opt for itineraries that do not go via some American airport. I'm not even sure if a transfer flight in the US means having to go through security, but frankly I don't care, nor will I take the chance if I can avoid it.