Millimeter wave scanner: Difference between revisions
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A ''' |
A '''millimeter wave scanner''' (also called '''whole body imaging''') is an imaging device used for [[airport security]] screening. |
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==Technical details== |
==Technical details== |
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==Deployment== |
==Deployment== |
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As of April 2009, the U.S. [[Transportation Security Administration]] states that these machines are being deployed at<ref>http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ |
As of April 2009, the U.S. [[Transportation Security Administration]] states that these machines are being deployed at<ref>http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm</ref>: |
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*[[Albuquerque International Sunport Airport]] |
*[[Albuquerque International Sunport Airport]] |
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*[[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] |
*[[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] |
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* [[Backscatter X-ray]] |
* [[Backscatter X-ray]] |
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==Notes== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Millimeter Wave Scanner}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Millimeter Wave Scanner}} |
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[[Category:Nudity]] |
[[Category:Nudity]] |
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[[Category:Security technology]] |
[[Category:Security technology]] |
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Revision as of 15:42, 29 December 2009
A millimeter wave scanner (also called whole body imaging) is an imaging device used for airport security screening.
Technical details
Clothing and other organic materials are translucent in some extremely high frequency (millimeter wave) radio frequency bands.[1]
According to Farran Technologies, a manufacturer of one model of the millimeter wave scanner, the technology exists to extend the search area to as far as 50 meters beyond the scanning area which would allow security workers to scan a large number of people without their awareness that they are being scanned.[citation needed]
Deployment
As of April 2009, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration states that these machines are being deployed at[2]:
- Albuquerque International Sunport Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Detroit Metro Airport
- Indianapolis International Airport
- Jacksonville International Airport
- McCarran International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Richmond International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- Tampa International Airport
- Tulsa International Airport
- Greater Rochester International Airport
These machines have been deployed in the Jersey City PATH train system [3].
Three security scanners using millimeter waves were put into use at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on 15 May 2007, with more expected to be installed later. The passenger's head is masked from the view of the security personnel.
One is currently in use in London Luton airport. [4]
Kelowna International Airport in Kelowna, British Columbia will host the first such device in a Canadian airport. [5]
Privacy concerns
Privacy advocates are concerned about the use of this technology because it allows screeners to see the surface of the skin under clothing, prosthetics including breast prostheses, and other medical equipment normally hidden, such as colostomy bags.[6]
Currently the technology is able to mask some part of the bodies of the people who are being scanned. Proposed remedies for privacy concerns include only scanning people who are detected to be carrying contraband, or developing technology to mask genitals and other "private parts." At least one government official has stated this technology is already in place[3], leading some to suggest that there are no privacy issues for regular passengers. In some locations, travelers have the choice between the body scan or a traditional "pat down."
The TSA has taken several steps to address privacy concerns. Images captured by the machines are not stored anywhere; though the machine has the capability for storage of the images, the TSA has asked the manufacturer to disable this capability. Once the image leaves the screen, it cannot be retrieved. The screening officer at the machine does not get to see the image; rather his screen shows only whether or not the actual viewer has confirmed that the passenger has cleared. The officer who views the specific image is in an isolated room away from the security checkpoint, so as to not see the actual person being scanned by the device.[6]
In at least one airport, each machine has a picture affixed to it demonstrating front and back views of both sexes, as they appear to the the officer viewing the images.[citation needed]
See also
Pearson airport in Toronto displays the millimeter wave scan diagram of front and back on the machine.
Notes
- ^ Scanner recognises hidden knives and guns - tech - 26 September 2006 - New Scientist Tech
- ^ http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm
- ^ a b [1] Mirror for Star Ledger Article "PATH riders to face anti-terror screening -- Program will begin at station in Jersey City" 2006/07/12 Wed Pg 014
- ^ " More airports to use 'whole body imaging' machines", CNN, April 15, 2005
- ^ "Passengers virtually stripped naked by 3-D airport scanner". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessdaymonth=,|accessyear=,|month=,|accessmonthday=, and|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b "Privacy Impact Assessment for TSA Whole Body Imaging" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-10-19.