Ban the naked machines!
Great news! People are finally fighting back against the naked machines! The Electronic Privacy Information Center launched a campaign today to suspend the use of whole body imaging devices – in other words, devices that show people’s naked bodies – as a method of airport security. Additionally, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) introduced legislation in April to ban the naked machines.
Sadly, opposition to the naked machines arose only after the TSA reversed its policy of using them only on passengers who set off metal detectors or were randomly selected for additional screening. To an inexplicably small amount of media coverage, the TSA announced it is now planning to use the naked machines on all passengers, instead of metal detectors! In other words, if the TSA gets its way, people will have to have their naked bodies examined in order to board an airplane! This is more immoral, unconstitutional, and un-American than words can convey.
More people should have opposed these virtual strip searches long ago, but it’s better late than never. Needless to say, I enthusiastically support EPIC’s and Chaffetz’s campaigns against the naked machines. I also now have a second-favorite Congressman (after Ron Paul, of course).
I will blog back with a more detailed entry on why I oppose the naked machines and many of the TSA’s other policies.
For more information, see EPIC’s whole body imaging technology page.