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House Nixes 'Virtual Strip Searches' at Airport

by Caleb Johnson on June 8, 2009 at 02:28 PM


A House bill could soon stop airport employees from getting an eyeful of passengers as they pass through airport checkpoints. The House recently approved legislation that would stop the use of "virtual strip searches" at airports, according to CNET News. Using a low-energy, X-ray machine, airport security personnel can currently view a detailed image of the naked figure that includes every body part, right down to the genitalia.

The amendment would stop the use of these virtual strip searches as the primary screening method, and would allow passengers to request a pat-down search instead. While privacy groups like the Electronic Privacy Information Center support the bill, others say the issue has been blown out of proportion. According to the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), steps have already been taken to protect the privacy of air travelers -- most notably in the form of a filter that provides TSA employees with a more vague image of the naked body.

The TSA uses virtual strip searches at 19 airports across the country. While the TSA's director recently supported the technology, a number of advocacy groups have sent a letter asking the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the use of the X-ray machines. Next up, the bill goes to the Senate for further consideration. Until this issue is resolved, we'll feel a little more self-conscious every time we pass through airport checkpoints. [From: CNET News]

Tags: airport, government, house of representatives, HouseOfRepresentatives, legislation, privacy, top, travel, tsa, x-ray

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