The new TSA scanning procedures involving the backscatter imaging, offering a naked image of the airline passenger to an anonymous screener (the TSA says that the images can’t be saved or printed – yeah, I believe that), to exceptionally intrusive physical pat-downs as an option for those who opt out of the body imaging offer, are thankfully drawing massive resistance from pilots, flight attendants and passengers. This article by Stephen Chapman of the Chicago Tribune is reflective of the growing resistance to the loss of individual privacy:
When it comes to protecting against terrorism, this is how things usually go: A danger presents itself; the federal government responds with new rules that erode privacy, treat innocent people as suspicious and blur the distinction between life in a free society and life in a correctional facility; and we all tamely accept the new intrusions, like sheep being shorn.
Maybe not this time.
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Just be quiet and do what you are told!
In response to a lawsuit brought by The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), the US Marshal Service has admitted to keeping “some” images (>30k) at a FL courthouse(http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20012583-281.html). Just this morning I was reading about this and other grevious violations of privacy perpetrated by the TSA in the name of “security.” Where do we draw the line? Or is too late?
This is why, if I’m traveling in the US, Amtrak gets more appealing to me by the day. Slower, yes–but at least I get off the train feeling like I have some dignity and privacy left!
I suspect those in charge of making these changes knew exactly what the public backlash would be. Watch out, because the time is ripe for a “New Coke”-type incident. When the public complained about Coke’s new formula, they quickly brought “Coke Classic” to the market. Only one problem: “Coke Classic” wasn’t the same formula as the original. But buyers were happy, because it was close enough.
The perceived health risk and privacy concerns are primarily with the backscatter X-ray machines. I won’t be at all surprised to see a proposal to get rid of the backscatter X-rays and the new pat-down procedure but keep the millimeter wave scanners.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some other major change going on right now that we aren’t noticing.