Ruth Haines
Airport body scanners have been a topic of debate for many years, with some people arguing that they are equivalent to a strip search and an invasion of privacy. These scanners use X-ray technology to scan underneath clothing and detect any potentially suspicious items. While the scanners do not show a detailed image of a person's naked body, they can detect the surface of the skin and any objects hidden underneath clothing. This has raised concerns about the privacy and dignity of passengers, especially those with medical conditions or unique body characteristics. Some countries and airports have implemented these scanners more widely than others, and there have been mixed reactions from the public and experts regarding their effectiveness and impact on human rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can airport scanners see you naked? | Partly. While the TSA agent won't see your naked image, the scanners can see down to the skin. |
| Do all airports use body scanners? | No. Airports in the US, Ghana, Nigeria, India, China, Canada, Germany, Australia, and the UK use body scanners. |
| Do all passengers have to go through body scanners? | No. Passengers can refuse and opt for a traditional pat-down. |
| Do body scanners use X-rays? | Yes. The scanners use very low-energy X-rays that reflect off the skin and other dense objects. |
| Are body scanners safe? | According to government research, body scanners are safe for pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants. However, some critics argue that the radiation emitted by full-body scanners may pose serious health risks. |
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What You'll Learn
Body scanners can detect objects under clothing
Body scanners at airports can detect objects under clothing. While the technology has evolved over the years, addressing privacy concerns, the primary purpose of these scanners is to identify threats such as weapons or explosives that may be hidden under clothing or inside body cavities.
Millimetre wave imaging technology, for example, uses non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to scan for objects that could be concealed under clothing. The scanner uses Automatic Threat Recognition and Detection functionality to digitally scan for possible threats. If any are detected, the scanner flags them on a 'gingerbread man' image for the operator to review. The operator never sees the actual image of the person being scanned, only the generic outline with flagged areas of concern.
Transmission X-ray scanners, on the other hand, use penetrating radiation to detect objects hidden under clothing or inside the human body. These scanners are typically used for detecting contraband and weapons, and they are regulated to ensure the dosage received is safe.
Backscatter X-ray scanners were previously used in U.S. airports, but they were phased out in 2013 due to privacy concerns. These scanners created detailed images of passengers' bodies, leading to criticism that they were equivalent to virtual strip searches and violated basic human rights.
While the current technology aims to protect privacy, some passengers still have concerns about the level of detail the scanners can detect, especially those from the transgender community, where prosthetics, binders, or other gender-affirming items may be flagged, leading to potentially invasive searches.
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Scanners use millimetre wave imaging technology
There are two types of millimetre wave scanners: active and passive. Active scanners direct millimetre wave energy at the subject and interpret the reflected energy. Passive systems, on the other hand, create images using only ambient radiation and radiation emitted from the human body or objects. In active scanners, the millimetre wave, a type of microwave, is transmitted from two antennas simultaneously as they rotate around the body.
Millimetre wave scanners are not to be confused with backscatter X-ray scanners, which use ionizing radiation. The efficacy of millimetre wave scanners in detecting threatening objects has been questioned, and some studies suggest that their cost-benefit ratio is poor. However, millimetre wave technology has been recognised worldwide for its potential applications in airport security, and it has received multiple awards.
Millimetre wave scanners raise concerns about privacy, as they can reveal intimate details about a person's body, such as prosthetics and medical equipment. In response to these concerns, the U.S. Congress prohibited the display of detailed images in 2013 and required the use of generic body outlines instead. Additionally, millimetre wave scanners have been criticised for their potential health risks due to radiation exposure. However, the technology has been certified as safe for all individuals, including pregnant women, children, and those with medical implants.
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Scanners are considered safe for pregnant women and children
Airport body scanners do not produce images that will be seen by humans. The scanners use an Automatic Threat Recognition and Detection functionality to digitally look for possible threats. If any are detected, the scanner will display them on a ‘gingerbread man’ image for the human operator to review. The image is analysed from within the computer and will never be transmitted, saved, or printed.
Body scanners are considered safe for pregnant women and children. According to researchers, airport scanning procedures that use metal detectors are safe for pregnant women. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) states that security scanners are safe, with no known risks for pregnant women or their fetuses. The scanners emit low-intensity radiation that does not penetrate the skin or harm the fetus. Common types of airport scanners include millimeter radio wave scanners and backscatter scanners. Backscatter scanners use a low-frequency electromagnetic wave to detect hidden objects or weapons inside a person's dress. Millimeter-wave scanners reflect away from the skin surface and cannot penetrate through it.
The Radiation Protection Standard sets a maximum permissible exposure level for the public, including pregnant mothers and children. If you have concerns over the safety of the scanners or feel uncomfortable passing through them, you can ask the security professionals for a physical ‘pat-down’ search.
While body scanners are considered safe for pregnant women and children, it is important to note that some individuals may still have concerns about the potential effects of radiation exposure, especially during pregnancy. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns or questions regarding your individual situation.
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Scanners display a 'gingerbread man' image for the operator to review
Airport body scanners have been a cause for concern for many travellers, with some people refusing to fly due to the intrusive nature of the technology. While the scanners do not show a detailed image of a person's naked body, they do scan down to the skin, and can detect items such as a tampon string. The scanners use very low-energy X-rays to detect items that reflect the rays, such as metal.
The operator does not see an image of the person's naked body, but rather a 'gingerbread man' or 'skeleton' outline, with indicators showing where any suspicious items have been detected. This is known as a generic map of a human, rather than a moulded map of the individual being scanned. The operator will then decide if a physical search is required. The image is analysed by a computer and is never seen, transmitted, saved, or printed.
The use of full-body scanners has been controversial, with critics calling the imaging a virtual strip search without probable cause, and suggesting that it violates basic human rights. In the UK, the scanners may be breaking the Protection of Children Act of 1978 by creating images or pseudo-images of nude children. In the US, the scanners have been criticised for their potential serious health risks, with some researchers claiming that the radiation emitted is 20 times stronger than official figures suggest.
The scanners can also cause distress for transgender people, as they will flag penises and binders as suspicious, requiring further invasive searches. This has led to some transgender people refusing to fly.
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Scanners are considered a violation of privacy and human rights
Scanners used in airports have been a topic of debate for many years, with critics arguing that they violate privacy and basic human rights. While some argue that the use of such technology is equivalent to a strip search, others claim that the machines produce images of virtual strip searches of minors, which may violate child pornography laws.
In the UK, for instance, the scanners may be contravening the Protection of Children Act of 1978 by creating images or pseudo-images of nude children. Parents have complained about their young children being virtually strip-searched, sometimes without their permission. The Indian government's decision to install full-body scanners in 84 airports also sparked public outrage over the collection of nude images, resulting in a lawsuit in 2010 to halt body scanning.
The scanners have also been criticised for their potential health risks. A group of world-renowned biochemists and biophysics researchers from the University of California wrote a letter expressing their concerns about the "potential serious health risks" of the recently adopted whole-body backscatter X-ray airport security scanners. They argued that the radiation emitted by some full-body scanners is up to 20 times stronger than official figures suggest. Additionally, the head of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University has criticised the scanners for emitting high levels of radiation.
Furthermore, the scanners have been criticised for their lack of respect for personal choice and bodily autonomy. Some individuals feel that the security measures are invasive, and they should have the option to choose between a body scan and a physical search. The use of gender settings in scanners has also been criticised for being based on a cis, non-disabled, white image of a "standard human body". This can lead to further invasive searches for transgender individuals and anyone who does not conform to the "standard" body type.
Overall, while the use of full-body scanners in airports may have security benefits, it is important to consider the potential violation of privacy and human rights, as well as the health risks and invasive nature of the technology.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes and no. While the security officer won't see your naked body, the scanner uses very low-energy X-rays to scan underneath your clothes and check for any potentially suspicious items.
The scanner will look for bumps where they shouldn't be and a lack of bumps where they should be. It will also flag items such as metal, plastic, prosthetics, breast prostheses, prosthetic testicles, colostomy bags, and catheters.
If something is flagged, the scanner will display a 'gingerbread man' image for the operator to review. The operator will then decide if a physical search is needed.
Yes, you can refuse a body scan and opt for a traditional pat-down. However, in some countries, passengers who refuse a scan may be banned from flying.
Yes, there is some concern about the potential health risks of full-body scanners, particularly X-ray scanners. Critics say that the radiation emitted by some full-body scanners is up to 20 times stronger than official estimates.
