X-Ray Body Scanner Stirs Controversy

Passengers at airports all across the country could soon have to bare it all in the name of security. The Transportation Safety Administration wants to roll out high-tech body imaging machines that perform what some are calling virtual strip searches on passengers.

Now, privacy advocates are launching a national campaign, calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland security to suspend the use of whole body imaging at airports, until privacy safeguards are in place. The machines are already being tested in 19 airports across the country, including BWI Thurgood Marshall and Reagan National.

Right now, passengers can choose if they want to go through the machine or not. When the program is launched nationally passengers may not have that option. William Sheridan is a frequent flyer at Reagan National Airport. He believes the machines are an invasion of privacy. He says,

"It's America and they're gonna take body images. I just don't think its right," said Sheridan.

Lillie Coney is with the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

"The TSA is making it's own rules," says Coney. "There are no checks. There's no oversight to what they can and can't do."

Coney says passengers need protection and the only way to ensure that happens is for the TSA to establish formal rules about the use of the technology.

"We can afford a rule making process of 90 days to look at this technology to be sure we understand health implications; that we understand privacy implications," said Coney.

A TSA spokeswoman says health and privacy concerns have been taken into consideration. The system uses a pair of security officers. The one working the machine never sees the image, which appears on a computer screen behind closed doors elsewhere; and the remotely located officer who sees the image never sees the passenger.

As further protection, a passenger's face is blurred. Some passengers say they would rather see safeguards in place than to get rid of the machines because of the potential for "peep shows".

"I have no problem as long as it protects our security," said passenger Alan Young. "It's a good thing."

Lauren Merriam agrees.

"I don't mind going through security if it's faster," said Merriam. "I'm interested in faster and safer. Other than that, I don't care."

That isn't deterring efforts to stall the deployment of the machines. Lillie Coney is also coordinator of the Privacy Coalition, a conglomerate of 42 member organizations. She expects other groups to sign on in the push for the technology's suspension until the safeguards are in place,