EPIC v. Homeland Security: Government has Over 2,000 Photos from Airport Body Scanners

[The Northerner]

As a result of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, EPIC has obtained hundreds of pages of documents from the Department of Homeland Security about the plan to deploy full body scanners in US airports. A letter to EPIC reveals that the government agency possesses about 2,000 body scanner photos from devices that the DHS said earlier "could not store or record images." EPIC has also obtained the most recent device procurement specifications, and several hundred new pages of traveler complaints. For more information, see EPIC: Whole Body Imaging and EPIC: EPIC v. Department of Homeland Security.

http://epic.org/2010/04/epic-v-homeland-security-gover.html

[napi21]

1. #1, I doubt they can be ID's to any individual person.

#2. If somebody REALLY wants a pick of my 66 yo body, knock yourself out!

[barbtries]

2. not me.

they'll have to knock me out to get me to go through one again. it's an invasion of privacy.

[enlightenment]

9. Isn't the point that they lied about the ability to keep and download

the images?

It's not about whether or not you care if someone downloads your body image - it's about the fact that they consistently lied about having the ability to do so.

If they lied before, should we assume they are being honest now, when they swear that only a handful of people can access the images and only under 'test' conditions and 'never' on-site (at a screening location)?

I find the lies much more offensive than the idea of some pin-head TSA twit looking at my body.

[robinblue]

14. yes, that is the point. thanks.

[TankLV]

13. Same here - there's a reason we have CLOTHES!!!

Maybe in my younger days I could brag - but I'm not so thrilled to voluntarily go nekid in public.

If they want to keep my pics, more power to 'em...

[lostnfound]

15. Whether you care or not about yours, do you care about those who DO care about theirs?

Don't you think that people who have feelings of modesty, embarassment, shyness, or whose feelings of personal dignity are tied in with not being naked in front of strangers, should be free to fly an airplane without going through this type of scanner?

[uppityperson]

3. I went through one rather than do a full body patdown. Meh.

[katandmoon]

4. They lied?!! I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!

Fuckers. Do these include images of naked children?

[old mark]

5. Ask for the "Kiddie Pak" available at all government agencies.....nt

[indepat]

7. Just wait 'til the day when full-body images of a gaggle of celebrities are posted on the

internet. Maybe those complicit will be charged under the pornography and sex-offender laws just as some California juveniles are currently being charged. :P

[Grand Taurean]

6. No one saw this one coming.

[HipChick]

8. I couldn't care less..2,000 out of how many million passengers - over how long a period

unless they can tie a name to each image..I see more plumber cracks and scantily dressed people at the airport than I care to..

[Kablooie]

10. Someday they need to have people sign releases then it would really get fun.

[Heywood J]

11. I'm seriously waiting for a police department to buy these

to search suspects or arrestees. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't happened yet.

ETA: When these become cheap enough through mass-production, will bars be able to use them to screen for weapons, or movie theaters allowed to strip-search to make sure you're not bringing in food or a camcorder?

[Incitatus]

12. and retail stores to make sure you're not leaving with unpaid merchandise.