Are the New Full Body X-Ray Machines Too Revealing?

Recently, the TSA has installed new x-ray machines and full body imagers in airports. These new x-ray machines are more advanced than the current ones and allow security personal to screen carry-on bags more clearly and efficiently. The new x-ray machines will limit the number of hand searches that are conducted on passenger’s carry-on luggage. The new full body imagers will allow for TSA personnel to quickly and thoroughly screen travelers, limiting the number of pat-downs.

The new x-ray machines are already being used in Philadelphia, Washington Dulles and Reagan, Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas. The full body imagers are currently being used in the following airports: Phoenix, Los Angeles- LAX and New York’s JFK. Within the next couple of weeks, the full body imager will be installed at Dallas- Ft. Worth, Miami, Detroit, Las Vegas, Washington-Reagan, and Denver, as well as other airports.

Some privacy issues have been expressed regarding the use of the full body imager. There is an example of such an image at Evolution of Security . This is an example of what security personnel will see when a passenger is being screened.

As you can see, it can feel a bit exposing. Be assured that the individual who is screening the image is located in a separate room; they are unable to see you and they are the only one who sees the image. The image is examined to see if the passenger has any metallic and/or non-metallic items (prior to entrance, the passenger has to empty all items from their pockets). Immediately following the screening, the image is deleted. Feedback from passengers has indicated that they prefer this method; since it does not require any physical contact from security personnel and it is much faster (total screening time is approximately 3 seconds) than a manual pat down.