Slashdot Mirror
Total Recall Weapon Scanner a Reality
verch writes
"American
Security and Control has produced a
real life version of the weapon scanner in Total Recall.
It uses a narrow 'low exposure' x-ray that can scan a fully
dressed person on a conveyor belt in 10 seconds to show guns,
bombs, etc. Now instead of putting your luggage through the
x-ray machine at the airport you can just ride through it
holding your luggage and have everything scanned. Hopefully
it's won't cause more people to die of cancer.. "
While the procedure for using this device needs to be clarified for privacy reasons, I actually welcome better security at US airports. Compared to some other countries, what we endure in the states is feeble. If you travel overseas, you probably know what I mean. On different occassions this is what I had to go through.
1) Once had all my bags (check-in and carry-on) thoroughly hand searched. Everything got dumped out and sifted through like they were searching for a penny. This was a year after the Lockerbie explosion so everybody's bags got searched this way.
2) Got patted down fairly thoroughly. And no, he didn't so now know where to hide my "gun".
3) Got pulled off to the side so that they could search my backpack after the x-ray machine showed something suspicious. A nice soldier was asked to join us (hey, nice machine gun!).
4) Got stopped in Heathrow while carrying data recording equipment and assorted cables. Once again, hey nice machine gun!
In each instance, I didn't mind that they were so security minded.
I also have grave concerns about some of the privacy issues. However, airport security in the US could be better. Being asked, "Has anyone you don't know given you something to carry on the plane?" is kind of feeble.
From their own webpage:
This makes hacking a handy tool for terrorists and smugglers. The "only" thing they have to do is hack the scanning station's computer, to display the image that they want the operator to see at the right time. If the system has automated image recognition-based alarms for knives, guns, drugs etc. you need to disable them as well.
One might envision a specifically shaped object that can be recognized by computer vision techniques, triggering the fake image display and disabling alarms.
Given the current rate of virusses popping up for windoze systems, it is a pretty scary thought.
- the Apocalyptic Lawnmower
There are some good alternitives though, among them is a system being developed in a few places including LANL, that is more "non-invasive", where they sniff the air around you (like a drug/bomb sniffing dog, only automated). You walk in the thing, air swishes around you, and back into the instrument, and they get instant readings on trace chemicals (selecting out perfume, selecting explosive chemical precursers...)
Anyone who really cares, email me if you want some journal referances.
I was at first concerned that it was "only as much as a flight" because that's actually a lot more than most people think, but it's only about 5% of what you get in a 3-hour flight, so it's not that bad at all.
I figure this will just make plastic/ceramic guns that much more popular.
This is a really frightening development. What is under your clothes is your own business. Do you want people to know about your piercings, or hip replacement, or colostomy bag, or pacemaker, or flask? Our society is harsh enough already on those who don't conform to the *external* appearance of normalcy.
If we make the assumption that the widespread use of this technology is inevitable, what standards must we set to ensure that privacy is not sacrificed? Here's few off the top of my head:
1. Clearly mark anyplace such a system is being used, so people can at least know if they are being scanned (this becomes more important as the technology advances and becomes less obvious).
2. Allow people to opt-out and be searched by traditional means. At least a hand search doesn't leave a recorded image.
3. Secure the output display area to prevent unauthorized viewing, and establish a system of ethics for the operators.
Any others?