Body Scanners at Australian airports

Body Scanners at Australian airports 10/02/2012

Compulsory full-body scanners are being installed at all of Australia's main airports, using advanced technology to screen passengers for security reasons.

The fitting of the new equipment will mark the end of a loophole in legislation, whereby passengers were allowed to request a pat-down instead of passing through a metal detector.

The scanner produces an image of the passenger as a generic outline, rather than a detailed picture, but is still raising the age-old debate of security versus privacy. However, Australian Transport Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the public understand that they live in a world where there are threats to their security.

The Australian government is touting the technology as the most advanced available, as it has the capacity to detect metallic and non-metallic items under clothing. Metal implants will not show up on the scanner because it does not penetrate the skin. Officials say the scanners are also safe for those with pacemakers. Anyone selected will be legally required to be scanned, save those with serious medical conditions, according to the Aviation Security Amendment Screening Bill 2012.

Australia is upgrading its security system with the body scanners in 8 of its international airports and the USA has also trialled the scanners. They were not well-received by Americans, who deemed the devices overly invasive and time-consuming.

JC.

  All news