Whole body scanners are low-radiation X-ray machines designed to detect non-metal weapons and explosives concealed under a passenger's clothing. The scan creates a graphic image of an individual's body under their clothes. The systems, which cost about $100,000, are used in nearly 20 airports. The TSA plans to expand its use of the machines to all major airports soon.
Proponents of the technology claim the systems are vital to detecting non-metal weapons, such as the explosive PETN powder concealed by the would-be Christmas Day bomber in his underwear.
In an opinion piece for the Washington Post earlier this month, former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff warned against limitations on the use of the technology and insisted that the TSA has implemented all reasonable privacy measures. For instance, the TSA has limited the number of staffers who can see the images and uses software to blur the face of the individual undergoing the scan. The officer looking at the images is also situated in a private room away from the passengers who are being screened.
Those opposed to using the devices claim that they allow for the virtual strip search of passengers at U.S. airports. In previous complaints filed with the government, EPIC has said the devices enable the capture of "detailed, graphic images of passengers' naked bodies" and that the machines could be easily programmed to store those images. Rotenberg said it is also unclear whether the devices are designed to detect powdered explosives, such as PETN.
The specifications describe "explosives," "weapons" and "liquid," but not "powder" he said.
Last June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would impose limits on the use of whole body imaging technology for aircraft passenger screening. Among other things, the bill calls for the use of full body scanners only if another screening method demonstrates a justifiable cause. The bill is pending in the Senate.
Meanwhile, a coalition of privacy and advocacy groups that includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and EPIC have called on the DHS to suspend deployment of the technology until privacy and security risks are evaluated.
Jaikumar Vijayan covers data security and privacy issues, financial services security and e-voting for Computerworld . Follow Jaikumar on Twitter at @jaivijayan , send e-mail to jvijayan@computerworld.com or subscribe to Jaikumar's RSS feed .
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