Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mfcorey1

(11,001 posts)
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 12:10 PM Apr 2019

New TSA screening equipment "sees" too much

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was testing a new body scanner system to screen passengers at U.S. airports, but it seems the system was too revealing.
The images that the equipment created were too invasive and would pose privacy risks, according to a contracting document Quartz discovered.

The new screening system was part of TSA’s aim to speed up screening at airports, but it lacked the privacy filters needed for visual images. The machine which is called TAC, is a “people-screening camera that sees any type of item—including metal, plastic, ceramic, gel, liquid, powder and paper—hidden in peoples’ clothing at distances of 3 to 10m,” or 10 to 32 feet.

As for how revealing is “too revealing,” Jay Stanley, an ACLU policy analyst, told Quartz, “The higher the resolution of the screen, the worse it is. It could be genitalia, it could be a colostomy bag.”

The manufacturer, ThruVision Inc. of Ashburn, Virginia, is said to be working on an “enhanced privacy software” to fix to the privacy issue.

The TSA has spent $662,840 on the system and the software fix is going to cost $250,000.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/new-tsa-screening-equipment-sees-too-much/ar-BBWnoUC?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New TSA screening equipment "sees" too much (Original Post) mfcorey1 Apr 2019 OP
Is this the only country that uses these? Siwsan Apr 2019 #1
You're correct FoxNewsSucks Apr 2019 #4
Pardon me for a moment Sherman A1 Apr 2019 #2
I have an artifical knee - right knee nini Apr 2019 #3

Siwsan

(26,281 posts)
1. Is this the only country that uses these?
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 12:15 PM
Apr 2019

The first time I went through one of the current models, it 'alerted' that I had something metal, near my elbow. I didn't. The TSA agent told me 'Yea, this happens a lot.' and cleared me to go. Gee. That sure gave me confidence in the process. Not.

And, am I wrong in remembering that Michael Chertoff was connected to the company manufacturing this equipment?

FoxNewsSucks

(10,434 posts)
4. You're correct
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 12:20 PM
Apr 2019

Skeletor Chertoff made a fortune from them. Rumsfeld made a fortune from Tamiflu. Republicons have always been opportunistic grifters.

nini

(16,672 posts)
3. I have an artifical knee - right knee
Mon Apr 29, 2019, 12:18 PM
Apr 2019

I always tell them before I go through.

EVERY time I get pulled aside because somewhere else on my body shows 'something'. EVERY time nothing is there. Even my artificial knee doesn't show.

it's getting old.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»New TSA screening equipme...