TSA makes it harder for passengers to avoid ‘virtual strip search’ scanners just in time for the Christmas rush – which will see six million Americans take to the skies
The TSA tweaked guidelines so travelers have to go through the machines
Government agency said it was bringing change to replace pat-downs
Controversial scanners are dotted in airports across the country
The have been condemned for violating privacy, but officials insist the technology is improving
By WILLS ROBINSON
DAILYMAIL.COM
23 December 2015
Air travelers will find it harder to avoid body scanners after airport security protocols were quietly ramped up.
The six million Americans who are expected to take to the skies over Christmas could face delays after the Transport Security Administration (TSA) tweaked guidelines so passengers will have to go through the machines, which have been described as ‘virtual strip searches’.
Homeland Security wrote in a document that the TSA was updating ‘the ability of individuals to opt-out of AIR (Advanced Imaging Technology) screening in favor of physical screening.’
The change comes in the midst of a major hike in security at major transport hubs following deadly terrorist attacks around the world,
This now clears the way for the TSA to ‘direct mandatory body scanner screening for some passengers as warranted by security considerations,’ CBS reported.
The controversial scanners are still in most major airports across the country.
They have been condemned for violating privacy, but officials insist the technology is improving.
On some machines, what used to be an almost nude image of a passenger has been changed to a generic outline.
It then highlights if the passenger has any objects on their person without showing their features.
Airport security has been under heavy scrutiny in recent months after a scathing DHS Inspector General report published over the summer uncovered major gaps.
Investigators discovered they were able to smuggle mock explosives or banned weapons through checkpoints 95 percent of the time.
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