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Up until now, the machines were a voluntary alternative to being patted-down by an agent. The images produce a near X-ray-like image. USA Today reported a TSA official as saying, "You can actually see the sweat on someone's back."
Already at several airports nationwide, all passengers are passing through the high-tech machines. The machines are available at other airports for secondary screenings only. The TSA plans to roll out the machine nationwide by end of year.
Today, the Electronic Privacy Information Center began a campaign to lobby Homeland Security's Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the program and invite public comment before making the procedure mandatory.
EPIC director Marc Rotenberg explained to us: "One of the big issues is that most people don't understand that these devices are essentially digital cameras. We don't object to the scanning. The problem is that it is too easy for the TSA to record and store images.
Other critics say that the machines perform "a virtual strip search." More than 500 readers wrote in with comments when we blogged about the TSA's new scanning machines. (See: "Is the TSA violating your privacy with its new body scanning machines?")
But most travelers don't seem to mind the machines. When given a choice between using them and not using them, "over 99 percent of passengers choose this technology over other screening options," a TSA spokesperson told CNN.
Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Republican from Utah, has introduced legislation to ban the machines. But it's not clear if the bill has a chance of becoming law.
The machines will cost between $100,000 and $170,000 each of taxpayer money, reports The New York Times.
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A Republican from Utah--wow, that's two strikes right there--wants to ban the machines, regardless of public support. He doesn't have to fly. He can just drive wherever in his (probable) SUV. As for overseas, he probably doesn't even have a passport; (an amazing number of US Congress members don't)
Posted By Tom on May 19, 2009, 6:19 PM
I have had a hip replacement 2003, I think the body-scanning machine is great. I am tried of having officers putting their hands in my pants, touching places. What about my rights to unreasonable search and seizure? I have flown to other countries where I sit off the alarm due to my new and better hip, no where have received the poor treatment. I hope the body-scanning devices are in every US airports as soon as possible, no later than December 31, 2009.
Posted By Ralph Zschoernig on May 21, 2009, 11:17 AM
I feel this is truly a lousy thing to do to someone, these people that will do this will get a real kick out of it and they are not professionals that take this job in the right aspect . I think this should be banned and another way should be proposed.
Posted By Harriett Leder on May 21, 2009, 5:01 PM
Tom (posting earlier)- I am so sick of liberals like you thinking you know everything about the conservative mindset. You of the "open-minded" group. That's a laugh these days. You need to remember that this is a large, diverse nation and that everyone is entitled to an opinion. You, in turn, are entitled to disagree. I totally agree with Mr. Chaffetz. I feel I have a right to privacy, and I object to these machines. That is my opinion, and I have a right to feel any way I please, regardless of what I drive or whether I own a passport.
Posted By dawn smith on May 21, 2009, 9:22 PM
As a woman... I feel violated. Why should anyone look at my naked body. I don't even let my own doctor see me naked why should I let anyone else (some of the TSA look like hoodlums, like I really want them looking at my naked body). To bad when the movie stars naked pics land on the cover of some seedy mags.
This is not making us safer. I just came back from NYC with macthes & a styling comb that had a handle 6inches long very sharp & looks like an ice pick in my carry on... my husband said I would never get it thru... well I did! I also had boxed juice for my child and they did not even look twice at it! You call that security!!! What a joke.... this scanner is just a false sense of security and just another way to make flying more uncomfortable (taking off my shoes forgot socks and had to walk on the filthy floor in JFK).
It is time to stop kidding ourselves some of this stuff is a waste of time. There are better ways of catching people wanting to hurt Americans!
Posted By Lisa on May 24, 2009, 4:16 PM
I am a Conservative Republican (one of the few in NY) & I have no problem with the full body scan. I know that I will probably never see the tsa agent & it is better then tests I have to endure as a female. There are x-rays of me in all my Doctor's offices & they were done by people I don't know & I lived thru them. If this speeds up the process--go for it. Everyone says find a better way--but no one has come up with it. How about the eye id--but most people don't want to pay for it. I will do it as soon as more airports have that. Meanwhile---scan away. I also understand you have a choice. So refuse the body scan and go to an agent. It seems no matter who is President (I don't see Obama putting a stop to airport security) security is a done deal. This is another case of "much ado about nothing". Accept it, live with it or don't fly.
Posted By Rosalie Greer on May 28, 2009, 11:24 PM