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Feds Admit Storing Body Scans

Scanners capable of storing, sending images

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2010 1:42 AM CDT

(Newser) – The "virtual strip search" images taken by airport body scanners, which federal agencies have long insisted can't and won't be stored, have been stored in the tens of thousands. The US Marshals service has admitted that over 30,000 of the über-revealing images were stored at a single courthouse, CNET reports. The machines will soon be in use at almost every major US airport, according to Homeland Security.

The TSA claimed last year that the machines cannot store nor transmit the images, but officials later admitted that the agency required manufacturers to include those functions for "testing, training, and evaluation purposes." The Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a lawsuit, demanding a federal judge pull the plug on the TSA's scanning program. "This is the Department of Homeland Security subjecting every US traveler to an intrusive search that can be recorded without any suspicion," the group's director says. "It's outrageous."

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The TSA's millimeter wave body scan. (TSA)

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The TSA is not being straightforward with the public about the capabilities of these devices. - Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 30 comments

James Smith

Nov 18, 2010 5:01 PM CST

Benjamin Franklin said it best over 200 years ago. "Those who would trade essential freedoms for the illusion f security deserve neither freedom nor security." Anyone that thinks the Terminally Stupid Association has ever done one thing that improves security is as ignorant as they are. I am not a professional terrorist, but give me three or four people and a week to train them and I can take over any commercial plan in the world. Don't worry about bombs, the plane is a bomb or have you all forgotten how 9/11 was done? So long, America, you have traded your freedom to the terrorists. They have already won.

lipstickonapig

Aug 7, 2010 4:16 PM CDT

Big Whoop! What did you expect? If you're waving goodbye to your civil rights as you carry your shoes in one of the endless airport lines while being treated like retarded cattle what's a few dirty pics? Of all the things to complain about regarding airport security, this is waaaaaaaay down the list of concerns. Besides, if you don't like the scans and want to be treated better than everybody else, JUST SAY YOUR MUSLIM! It works, it really really does! (lmaorotf)

bewilderbeast

Aug 7, 2010 11:03 AM CDT

This is yet more proof that we NEED whistle blowers. Bless you, brave whistle blowers!

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Technology • US

airport security • TSA • Homeland Security • airport scanners • full body scanner • full body scans • Electronic Privacy Information Center

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Feds Admit Storing Body Scans