Over the past few years, U.S. airport security experts have explored using this century-old technology in new -- and revealing -- ways -- especially in light of recent events. But instead of just scanning your belongings or stepping through a metal detector, in the near future, you might be virtually stripped by a "backscatter" X-ray machine before hopping on that plane to visit Grandma. The process would (theoretically) reveal any potentially concealed weapons -- as well as your naked body. The airport screeners may keep straight faces, but we wonder if seeing our exposed bodies will spark voyeuristic chuckles when they see us -- and our loved ones -- in the buff.
Are such techniques less invasive than the old-school pat-down? Is the trade-off of privacy for the sake of security a worthwhile one It's a tough call, and one worthy of vigorous debate.
We can only hope that real X-ray specs won't be the next innovation -- or people-watching at the airport will be changed forever.
Suggested Sites...
- Q&A: Controversial Full-Body Scanners - CNN answers some of the questions.
- CNET: Can Full-Body Airport Scanners Harm You? - well, can they?
- The TSA Blog: Backscatter Technology - the government's position on x-ray scanners.
- Airport Body Scanners "Unlikely" To Foil al-Qaeda - unless they have cavities, guesses one British MP.
- New Rules on Flight Security Get Airline Groups'
Support - well, not everyone thinks it's a bad idea.
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