Oh dear! It just gets worse, unbelievably worse!
http://news.
Europe eyes airport X-ray vision
By Chris Mason
BBC News, Strasbourg
The scans effectively strip passengers and highlight anything they may
carry
As if queuing for ages, emptying pockets and taking off shoes at the
airport was not enough - now there are fears images of European
airline passengers will be flashing up on a computer screen in all
their glory - minus their clothes.
The European Commission insists the proposals are at an early stage
and would not be mandatory.
But there are nonetheless concerns among some in the European
Parliament about the effect the scanners could have on human rights,
data protection and personal dignity.
The images, while not quite of photo quality, do not leave much to the
imagination.
For most people, airport security staff would likely get to know you
rather better than you might like.
'Ill conceived'
"This measure is unnecessary, unjustified and invasive," said Irish
Sinn Fein MEP Bairbre de Brun.
"The commission has brought forward this plan without assessing the
impact on fundamental rights or human health or even if they are cost-
efficient. This is an ill-conceived plan."
Tens of millions of people around European airports would be digitally
photographed, almost as if there were naked
The European Commission says it is precisely its role to ensure the
scanners are not unnecessarily invasive - by drawing up a rule book
for how the devices, which are already used in a limited capacity by
some airports, must be operated.
Where the technology is currently available, air security officials
can pick out individuals to stand in a booth while three pictures are
taken of the person in slightly different positions.
Within seconds, an X-ray scanner produces an image of the body.
What shows up is the naked human form and anything that may be
concealed, such as coins, a gun or drugs.
'Virtual strip search'
A European Commission spokesman told the BBC that a wider roll-out of
the technology would not only enhance safety and security, but would
also have the potential to speed up the check-in process, as
passengers would not need to be searched by security officials.
But concerns remain that the safeguards remain vague, and that MEPs
have not been sufficiently consulted.
Philip Bradbourn, home affairs spokesman for the British
Conservatives, says the scanners amount to a "virtual strip search"
and are being rushed in.
European officials believe the X-ray scans could ease airport queues
"The European Commission is attempting to introduce these measures
without consulting national governments or MEPs, and that is simply
unacceptable given the considerable concerns," he said.
"There is a growing anxiety that the EU is seen as a tool for
challenging basic liberties, without the usual scrutiny and
accountability provided at the ballot box."
He and other critics acknowledge the potential security benefits, but
insist that is not enough.
"I am against the idea of deciding one way or the other without a
proper analysis of risks and eventual benefits from the point of view
of health, privacy and security," Italian Liberal MEP Marco Cappato
told the BBC.
"Tens of millions of people around European airports would be
digitally photographed, almost as if there were naked."
Step forward Antonio Tajani, Europe's transport commissioner.
He is attempting to persuade MEPs this is not being rushed through,
will not happen in every airport anytime soon, and the necessary
safeguards will be a priority.
But for many MEPs, he has plenty of convincing to do.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
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