Since their introduction, privacy advocates
have publicly worried that images from full-body scans at the
airport might wind up on the internet. TSA assured us on its
website that "The machines have zero storage capability."
At some airports where the technology is in use, TSA plays a video
in the screening area which asserts, "...the system has no way to
save, transmit or print the image."
But CNN reports that EPIC, the Electronic Privacy Information
Center, found that the machines have a test mode in which the
images can not only be stored, but transmitted. EPIC Executive
Director Marc Rotenberg says that opens the possibilities of abuse
by insiders, or even hackers. The "Level Z" authority for TSA
allows the security agency to disable privacy filters and to export
raw image files.
EPIC obtained the information on the machines through a Freedom of
Information Act request. Rotenberg is critical of what he calls
"slick promotion" by the TSA. "[I]f you look at the actual
technical specifications and you read the vendor contracts, you
come to understand that these machines are capable of doing far
more than the TSA has let on."
TSA has responded by saying adequate safeguards are in place. The
officer viewing the images cannot see the passenger being scanned,
the machines are not networked and cannot be hacked, no cellphones
or other photographic devices are allowed in the viewing rooms, and
violators are subject to serious discipline or removal.
All of which may be true, but then YouTube is filled with bootleg
concert videos from venues where no cameras are allowed, and TSA
reportedly has declined to cooperate in the prosecution of its
workers when they're caught stealing at airports, citing security
concerns.
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]