Body Scanners At Heathrow: What To Expect

Heathrow Airport has been using full-body scanners since 2010. The scanners were introduced to enhance security and improve the passenger experience. The airport has been working to address concerns about privacy and has introduced new privacy-friendly technology that uses millimetre-wave scanners to bounce electromagnetic waves off a passenger's body, replacing images of the human torso with a cartoon-like figure. In 2021, Heathrow Airport announced that it would deploy mmWave passenger security scanners across all five terminals, allowing for faster and more efficient security checks while maintaining high security standards.

Heathrow's new privacy-friendly body scanners

Heathrow Airport has been trialling new privacy-friendly body scanners that aim to strike a balance between high security standards and a positive passenger experience. The new millimetre-wave scanners use electromagnetic waves to create a generic, cartoon-like outline of the passenger's body, doing away with the previous "naked" image that raised privacy concerns. Any suspicious items are indicated by a yellow box on the outline, preserving the passenger's privacy. The scanners also allow for an easy, hands-down posture, making the process more comfortable and efficient.

The new technology not only enhances privacy protection but also improves security. By detecting concealed items without revealing detailed bodily images, the scanners address civil liberty concerns while maintaining effective security checks. The scanners are designed to identify suspect objects and alert staff, who can then take appropriate action. This targeted approach reduces the need for random or invasive searches, improving the overall passenger experience.

Heathrow's move towards privacy-friendly scanners is part of a broader trend in airport security. The previous full-body scanners, introduced in 2007, faced significant backlash from privacy advocates due to their ability to see underneath clothing. As a result, airports and security authorities have been exploring alternative solutions that balance security and privacy.

The trial of these new scanners at Heathrow is a step towards addressing these concerns. If successful, Heathrow plans to implement these scanners across all its airports, signalling a shift towards more privacy-respecting security measures. This approach aligns with the UK and European Union reviews of airport security rules, aiming to enhance security while minimising the negative impact on passengers.

The new body scanners at Heathrow Airport represent a significant advancement in addressing privacy concerns while maintaining effective security measures. By utilising millimetre-wave technology and a privacy-preserving display system, the scanners offer a more comfortable and efficient experience for passengers without compromising safety.

The scanners' use of millimetre-wave technology

Heathrow Airport has adopted mmWave technology-based passenger security scanners, also known as millimetre-wave scanners, to enhance security and improve the passenger experience. These scanners are designed to quickly and effectively screen individuals for safety and security purposes.

Millimetre-wave scanners are whole-body imaging devices that use a specific type of electromagnetic radiation, known as millimetre waves, to detect objects concealed under a person's clothing. This technology differs from backscatter X-ray scanners, which use ionizing radiation with higher energy levels and have raised concerns about potential health risks. Millimetre waves, on the other hand, are considered non-ionizing radiation and are not associated with the same health concerns.

The scanners use millimetre-wave technology to create a detailed image of the body and any concealed items. Each transmitter in the scanner emits a pulse of energy that passes through the clothing and reflects off the person's skin and any hidden objects. This reflected energy is then detected by the transmitter, now acting as a receiver, and the data is interpreted by specialised software. The software constructs a 3D, black-and-white, whole-body silhouette while employing Automated Target Recognition (ATR) to identify and highlight potential threats. ATR technology can detect a wide range of substances, including liquids, gels, plastics, powders, metals, and explosives.

One of the key advantages of millimetre-wave scanners is their ability to maintain privacy while ensuring thorough security checks. Instead of displaying detailed images of a person's body, the scanners show a generic human outline with any suspicious items indicated by a yellow box. This approach addresses previous concerns about ""virtual strip searches"" and protects passengers' privacy. Additionally, the scanners allow for a comfortable scanning posture, with passengers keeping their hands down during the scan, which takes only a few seconds to complete.

While millimetre-wave scanners offer benefits in terms of security and privacy, there have been questions raised about their effectiveness in detecting threatening objects. Some studies suggest that the scanners may struggle with certain types of concealment and have yielded false positives from factors like sweat, buttons, and folds in clothing. However, the technology is continuously being improved, and companies like Rohde & Schwarz are committed to upgrading their scanners with new algorithms to enhance their performance and meet evolving security needs.

The scanners' ability to detect hidden explosives and weapons

Heathrow Airport has deployed mmWave passenger security scanners across all five of its terminals. These scanners are designed to enhance security and reduce wait times for passengers. The scanners can detect objects hidden under clothing and inside the human body, such as contraband, weapons, and explosives.

The effectiveness of full-body scanners in detecting hidden explosives and weapons has been questioned by some critics, who argue that they can be easily bypassed. For example, a report published in the Journal of Transportation Security suggested that terrorists might fool X-ray "backscatter" machines by taping a thin film of explosives to their stomachs. Additionally, terrorists have adapted their tactics by using surgically implanted bombs or bombs hidden in body cavities, which can be challenging for scanners to detect.

However, advancements in technology have improved the ability of scanners to detect hidden explosives and weapons. For instance, the 3D X-ray scanner, developed by Xoran Technologies, LLC, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, can quickly and accurately detect the presence of explosive devices and related components in bags and containers. This technology enhances the ability of frontline operators to intercept dangerous devices before they can cause harm to the public.

Furthermore, passive infrared scanners, which collect and analyze natural heat radiation emitted by the human body, can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects without revealing any body details, thus preserving privacy. Another example is the millimeter-wave holographic body-scanning system developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which has been deployed at over 2,300 locations, including airports, and has successfully scanned over 100 million individuals.

Additionally, vapor detection technology, such as that developed by PNNL, can accurately identify vanishingly small traces of explosive materials, chemicals, and narcotics. This technology has been adapted for use in aviation security, providing a critical tool for enhancing safety.

The controversy surrounding privacy and body scanners

Heathrow Airport in London has adopted body scanners as a security measure to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and contractors accessing airside locations. While the implementation of body scanners aims to enhance security, it has also sparked controversy due to concerns surrounding privacy and data protection.

Body scanners, particularly those using backscatter X-ray technology, provide detailed imaging of the nude body, amounting to what some describe as "virtual strip searches." This level of exposure has raised alarms among civil liberties groups, who argue that such intimate scans violate individuals' right to privacy. The concern is heightened for specific groups, including women, religious minorities, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The Electronic Privacy Information Centre (EPIC), a Washington-based watchdog, has taken a leading role in advocating for safeguards and regulations governing the use of body scanners. They are not alone in their concerns. Martin Scheinin, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, has criticized the increasing use of body scanners. Scheinin asserts that these technologies not only violate privacy rights but also impact due process rights, freedom of movement, freedom of association, and freedom of expression. He cautions that counter-terrorism initiatives should not supersede individuals' fundamental freedoms.

Additionally, there are worries about the potential misuse of data collected through body scanners. Personal data, including physical and biographical details, can be centralized in databases, creating opportunities for data sale and dissemination. This scenario raises fears among individuals who do not want their personal information used for targeted advertising or other purposes without their consent.

To address these concerns, Heathrow Airport has implemented the Rohde & Schwarz mmWave scanner, which prioritizes passenger privacy. This technology allows for a comfortable scanning posture with hands down and completes full-body scans in seconds. Instead of displaying detailed body images, the scanner indicates any suspect objects on a silhouette, preserving the privacy of the scanned individual. Heathrow's deployment of this technology aims to balance security enhancements and respect for passenger privacy.

The future of security: Heathrow's vision

Heathrow Airport has been working towards achieving its vision of a secure and safe environment, while also providing a positive passenger experience by making their journey through the airport as fast and efficient as possible.

In line with this vision, Heathrow has invested over £50 million in cutting-edge 3D security equipment, becoming the first UK airport to trial this technology. The new computed tomography (CT) security equipment will provide better images of cabin baggage more quickly, making the screening process more robust and efficient. This technology will also reduce the amount of single-use plastic at the airport, as passengers will no longer need to put liquids in plastic bags.

In addition to the CT equipment, Heathrow has also deployed mmWave passenger security scanners across all five terminals. These scanners allow for a comfortable, easy, hands-down posture for scanning, while still ensuring effective screening for safety and security. The scanners complete a full-body scan in seconds and indicate any suspect objects on an image to preserve passenger privacy.

To further enhance security and comply with new UK government regulations, Heathrow is implementing important changes to its security measures. This includes working with Heathrow's operator to understand how new security technologies can be implemented on the airport's perimeter and conducting trials of new equipment to gather data and support decision-making.

Heathrow's vision for the future of security involves creating an extraordinary airport that is fit for the future, constantly evolving, and innovating. The airport aims to provide excellent service, grow its capacity, and run a strong, resilient, and efficient operation while ensuring safety, security, and compliance.

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