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"Holographic" Full-Body Security Scanning
``` [Yet another reason to read Compressed Air magazine...]
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Date: Mon, 28 Oct 96 21:20 PST From: privacy@vortex.com (PRIVACY Forum) Subject: PRIVACY Forum Digest V05 #20
PRIVACY Forum Digest Monday, 28 October 1996 Volume 05 : Issue 20
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Date: Sun, 27 Oct 96 15:15 PST From: lauren@vortex.com (Lauren Weinstein; PRIVACY Forum Moderator) Subject: "Holographic" Full-Body Security Scanning
According to an article in the Oct-Nov 1996 issue of "Compressed Air" magazine (a wonderful Ingersoll-Rand publication that covers a very wide range of topics), the Federal Aviation Administration is planning to begin testing the use of a full-body "holographic" imaging system at a U.S. airport next year.
The system (an earlier version of which was discussed previously in the PRIVACY Forum), actually uses millimeter waves (~30 Ghz) to quickly (within a few seconds) generate a "naked" image of the scannee. The device has been under development for a number of years and appears to be evolving rapidly. The transmitted millimeter radiation passes through clothes but bounces off the body or other objects (e.g., everything from loose change to firearms, hidden money packets, etc.)
Outside of the rather obvious broader privacy implications of such a device, two special issues should also be considered. First, even though the millimeter radiation used is non-ionizing (e.g. less energetic than x-rays), there is considerable controversy about the health risks of exposure to non-ionizing radiation at these wavelengths. The statement is made that the system is similar in exposure to supermarket "door opener" microwave scanners, though this seems somewhat difficult to accept given the completely different scanning requirements of the two devices.
But another problem may be even more likely to concern the public at large about such equipment. As the photographs included with the article show all too clearly, the device generates quite detailed "nude" images. It is decidedly uncertain how people will feel about being required to pass through a system that creates instant 360 degree naked pictures, possibly archived to tape as well! The promoters of the system suggest that using "same-sex" operators would alleviate these concerns. Excuse me, but are we all living on the same planet? Talk about needing a reality check...
I have no doubt that there might be special situations where such a device, as an alternative to "pat-downs" or other intrusive personal searches, could be useful. But broadscale deployment of such systems in airports as a routine body scanning procedure seems unlikely to be acceptable to most of the public.
--Lauren--
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End of PRIVACY Forum Digest 05.20
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