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BackscatterOver the years our privacy at the airport has become less and less precious. Nowadays we have to open our bags, take off our shoes and submit to random searches with the "wand." What's next? A full vision x-ray. The technology, called backscatter, can detect weapons that other methods could miss. But it can also see right through your clothes. For now, it's being tested at Phoenix airport, and is optional. If a passenger sets off the alarm in the traditional detector, they are given a choice between a "pat-down" and the x-ray machine. I'm all for anything that will prevent acts of terrorism, but it's still an invasive technology. (Not to mention the potential health effects.) The TSA promises that images will not be stored, and that details will be slightly distorted, as you can see on the left.

See more images of the x-ray machine.

Photo: AP

Via: The Christian Science Monitor

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Content Recommendations from Evri
Posted by: phoenix
March 6, 2007 1:58 PM

If...if that's "slightly distorted," I'd hate to see the real thing. Yikes. :(


Posted by: Jeannie
March 6, 2007 2:48 PM

I go to great lengths to COVER UP my body. The thought that someone can see right through my clothes terrifies me in ways I can't even describe!


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