Scanners upgrade at Manchester Airport to alleviate concerns

New software in controversial body scanners will automatically check for threats.

Travel Insurance News - 21/06/2010

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The manufacturer of controversial full-body scanners at Manchester Airport has installed advanced software that will send only suspicious scan images to human operators to be checked. Since the scanners were installed at UK airports in London and Manchester, there has been a public debate about the legality of their use, with some religious groups refusing to use them.

Rapiscan, the company that makes the machines, says sophisticated software will identify possible threats. The scanner will then send the image to a security operator, who will check the scan and decide if the passenger can fly. Rapiscan hopes the new system will address public concerns about privacy.

The scanners basically ‘see’ through clothing. This makes it hard for someone to hide a weapon or other threat. However, the intimate, ‘naked’ images have upset religious groups, as well as many general members of the public. There is also some question about the legality of creating images of children that could be considered ‘indecent’.

The scanners were installed at Heathrow and Manchester airports following a failed attempt to bring down a transatlantic flight last year. Since the scanners went into service, Muslim groups have said the machines break religious rules. The Equality and Human Rights Commission also said the naked scan images break privacy rules contained in the Human Rights Act.

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