Say goodbye to "naked image" body scanners

A TSA officer views images from the Advanced Imaging Technology unit at John F. Kennedy International Airport in this October 22, 2010 file photo. The backscatter X-ray full-body scanners can see through clothing, and screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including explosives. / Michael Nagle/Getty Images

WASHINGTON The last of the so-called "naked image" body scanners will soon be removed from U.S. airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is severing its $5 million software contract with OSI Systems Inc. for Rapiscan "Secure 1000" units, after the company couldn't produce less revealing images in time to meet a congressional deadline, reports CBS News aviation and transportation correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

Seventy-six of the machines have already been removed from U.S. airports; there are currently 174 left.

But body scanners are not being removed from airports entirely. Still in use are machines made by L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., which produce less-detailed images that comply with congressional mandates to better protect passenger privacy.

Use of advanced imaging body scanners at airports was accelerated after the so-called "underwear bomber" Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas 2009. That was followed by an outcry from privacy advocates and members of Congress who argued the naked images produced by the machine were too invasive.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) likened a scan by the machines to a "physically invasive strip search."

In August, 2010 the TSA asked the makers of the body scanners to make the images less revealing. L-3 accomplished the goal in 2011, but Rapiscan recently said it would not be ready with its fix until 2014.

That's beyond a June deadline mandated by Congress.

While TSA will pull all of the current Rapiscan "backscatter" scanners out of operation by June 1 due to a congressional mandate that all TSA scanners have privacy filter software by then, TSA has NOT made a decision to permanently stop using backscatter scanners.

In fact, TSA has a contract with another company, American Science and Engineering Inc, to develop a "next generation" backscatter machine with privacy filter software. TSA also has contracts with L-3, which manufactures the millimeter-wave scanners currently in use, and Smiths Group to develop "next generation" millimeter-wave scanners.

Also, TSA says the 174 backscatter scanners that are being pulled from airports as well 76 additional backscatter scanners currently in storage will likely go to another federal agency for use elsewhere (not in airports).

• TSA quietly removing some full body scanners
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• TSA to bolster body scanner privacy

[HobartSchmenge]

Alternate headline: TSA says goodby to T&A.

[mamatellie]

Wow- did we all forget about 9/11 already? So, we're willing to sacrifice almost sure safety because we don't want a stranger to see us "naked" for a few seconds.
Don't get me wrong - I am not thrilled about the idea in and of itself, but I'd rather go through that and know that others are, than go back to our complacent, self absorbed, it's all about me way of life that got these installed in the first place!

[PMac13]

You'd give away your freedom for the illusion of "safe"?

[stndspec]

No one forgot about 9/11. That's a callously ridiculous statement. However it does seem as though you have forgotten the profound value of your civil rights. This is not the future any of us want, and there is no valid reason to embrace or tolerate it. Whether it's engineering smarter body scanners or finding other ways altogether as technology advances, there are definitely better way to do things.. ways that will not conflict with the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[redwilma]

Good!! (And what a terrible name - Rapiscan!?)

[HobartSchmenge]

It sounded better than SeeUrJunkCam

[KansasCity-2012]

These body scanners were never the solution and should have never been approved in the first place. I am so glad to see them go. I always "opted out" and got the physical pat down when I had no choice. I studied lines and noticed some lines had those and some didn't and discovered how to avoid this sickening reality that I knew could not last.

Did I have trouble with strangers seeing my body? Yes Why? Because I couldn't see theirs. It was a one way street and I had the disadvantage.

[ralphing]

So other government agencies get to use them for their T&A shows.

[hypnotoad72]

Plenty of porn sites already exist that cost less. What the US is doing is saving money - what's your problem with that?

[bradoxn]

TSA agents are all saying damn, no mire fun

[littleredtop]

Another very costly blunder by the Obama administration.

[destardi]

Seriously? Someone is talking about a subject they're clueless on.

I didn't vote for obama anymore than I voted for bush (2 sides of the same coin, they are!) and I don't let my political talking heads lie to me (limbaugh, schultz and all other garbage spewers).

First, you'll know that Bush's first Homeland Security Director Chertoff advocated the use of them beginning in 2005 during Bush's reign. "In 2005, Homeland Security ordered the government's first batch of the scanners -- five from California-based Rapiscan Systems."

Stop buying into the hype and RESEARCH, QUESTION AND DON'T BELIEVE EITHER PARTY IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER!

[destardi]

In addition, Chertoff had financial stakes in Rapiscan.

[mythoughts247]

Thank God! Can't wait till they get rid of all of them. No one besides my boyfriend should be looking at my naked body, so go pay for your porn sleazeball TSA.

[mamatellie]

It's only porn if someone is looking at you for their sexual enjoyment....what about the doctor's office? Why is it any different? Just because they have a medical degree doesn't mean they are just another human being looking at you naked, and they are ACTUALLY looking at you naked, not VIRTUALLY.
And I'm pretty sure God had nothing to do with the removal of the machines.....he's kinda busy with other things.....like making sure people are still BORN NAKED. :P

[HM8432]

TSA will come up with a new, more intrusive way to harass and threaten innocent American air travellers.

[littleredtop]

Actually, there is talk of remote controlled robotic probes and friskers. You step into a box resembling a port-a-potty and a machine checks you out. One operator can control up to five machines simultaneously. Should you be found to have something questionable on or in your person the door would automatically lock and you in the box would be transported to an off property location for further processing.

[PMac13]

LITTLEREDTOP - HILARIOUS!!!

[micmac666]

Bummer. I enjoy hanging out at the airport and going through once in a while, just to scare the horses, you know.