TSA May Force Some Passengers To Undergo Airport Body Scans

WASHINGTON (CBS) -- A change in TSA screening policy may mean that some air travelers won't be able to opt out of full-body scans at airports.

CBS News reports that the Department of Homeland Security has quietly updated procedures for Advanced Imaging Technology at airport security checkpoints.

"While passengers may generally decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening, TSA may direct mandatory AIT screening for some passengers," a document from Dec. 18 states.

Officials cite "the need to respond to potential security threats" as one reason behind the change.

The body scanners have been criticized in the past for being "virtual strip searches," but new technology shows screeners a more generic figure instead of a person's individual body type.

CBS News notes that a full-body scan can pick up non-metallic explosives, which is terrorists could use to try and bring down a plane.