Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Let's Put The TSA In Charge Of Health Care

The porno scanners might be easily duped:

Yet Leon Kaufman and Joseph W. Carlson, two physics professors at the University of California, San Francisco offer a stark conclusion: They can be easily duped, according to a recent paper published in the Journal of Transportation Security.

"It is very likely that a large (15–20 cm in diameter), irregularly-shaped, cm-thick pancake with beveled edges, taped to the abdomen, would be invisible to this technology -- ironically because of its large volume, since it is easily confused with normal anatomy," the researchers said in the paper. Kaufman and Carlson conclude that some types of foreign objects can be reliable detected only if they are packed outside the sides of the body, and some well hidden items would be impossible to see even with the scanner.

"It is also easy to see that an object such as a wire or a box-cutter blade, taped to the side of the body, or even a small gun in the same location, will be invisible," the paper notes.

Experts have already highlighted that such machines are unable to detect hidden plastic explosives. The authors of the new paper expand on these limitations -- and it couldn’t come at a worse time, as families prepare for holiday travel plans.


Of course, the TSA has an answer for this:

The TSA maintains that the machines remain an integral part of their security arsenal, telling FoxNews.com that it trusts the controversial machines. “Advanced imaging technology is a proven, highly-effective tool that safely detects both metallic and non-metallic items concealed on the body that could be used to threaten the security of airplanes,” a TSA spokesman told FoxNews.com.


And how "safe" and/or "secure" do you feel about privacy?

These privacy considerations came to the forefront of the conversation last month when online tech site Gizmodo leaked 100 TSA scans to the public.


Huh. I thought the images weren't saved.

These people are idiots, and if you sheeple do not stand up and fight this violation at every opportunity, you deserve the tyranny your silence encourages.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

1. Google : 4th Amendment Metallic ink

2. Pick a link.

3. Laugh.

allen (in Michigan) said...

Sheeple?

Darren said...

Yes, sheeple. Too many people just say "baaaaaaah" to whatever their government does.

I will *not* be herded towards tyranny.