Man, people are pretty uncomfortable with their bodies. Remember those whole-body airport scanners? Well, “privacy advocates” are now demanding that the Transportation Security Administration remove them from all airports because, yes, they say it’s an invasion of privacy. As such, a group called the Electronic Privacy Information Center, or EPIC (really, EPIC? perhaps this whole story is fake), is starting a campaign to draw people’s attention to the matter. Once fully freaked out, people will then sign a petition or whatever because they don’t want the government stomping all over their rights or some other nonsense.
Of course, as you no doubt remember, the TSA set up a number of safeguards to insure that people’s privacy wasn’t invaded. One, the TSA guy operating the machine, standing right next to you, will never see your scan. Two, the TSA person viewing the scanned image will never see you in person, nor will he see your face—it’ll be blurred out. Three, the machine is optional, so far.
Never mind that we’re all the same dumb species, and that one guy’s fat body is no different than the next guy’s. But, if you wanna freak out, be my guest. I’m totally fine with the scanner, especially if it’ll expedite my trip through security.
Wow. Your compliance is saddening.
What’s so sad about it?
sad because airport security is almost pure theatre, whose only purpose is to make bureaucrats look like they are doing something, and make the sheep feel safer. Google ‘Bruce Schneier airport security’ for an education. The head of the TSA even admitted that there are huge gaps in their security rendering passenger screening almost pointless.
I agree it is all symbolic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective especially since, as you pointed out, other people will automatically comply and see it as effective. The technology is actually kinda cool this video has more: http://www.newsy.com/videos/airport_dilemma_security_vs_privacy
If it goes into mainstream use you will see these images all over Google in no time. I encourage it. As if there wasn’t enough crap on the internet for me to find when I’m bored…why not give me another?
What about my right not to get blown up by crazies?
It is always easier to freak out about something you don’t understand than to take the time to learn the facts. I really hate this about people.
I like the pictures. They make people look all metallic.
Deleon hasn’t been on the Internet very long. Epic.org has been around since 1994.
Epic has many good privacy and First Amendment advocates on its board, including Marc Rotenberg (lawyer) and Bruce Schneier (security expert). Google either, and you’ll see why Epic.org is a good thing to have around.
Just because the word has become a meme in the past year doesn’t make it a hoax.
Anyone taking bets on when the first story breaks about some TSA perv caught with a hard drive full of scanned hotties? or little boys and girls?
All images are deleted and can not be downloaded after viewed by screeners. You take these machines away and things start going bananas again then who is to blame? I understand privacy issues but these images are not detailed and definately not ’sexy’. No sexy time for screeners.
Why so serious Americans? Why so afraid?
Americans are afraid of everything, if you tell them that shoving a stick up their ass will make them safer, off they go to find the biggest stick there is, ops, sorry they already have one!
You people made me lulz, giving up rights for a fake sense of security, so British of you guys….
BTW, the only thing i would let any of those stupid ass TSA boneheads see would be my ass as i walk away to another line..