They Say It Protects The Privacy Of The Traveling Public

TSA announced Monday that it will begin testing backscatter advanced imaging technology at Greater Rochester International Airport. Imaging technologies quickly and unobtrusively screen passengers for metallic and nonmetallic threats without physical contact.

Backscatter imaging technology provides enhanced detection capabilities and is 100 percent optional for all passengers. Privacy protections are in place for the traveler. The security officer who assists the passenger through the screening process never sees the image the technology produces. The image is viewed by a remotely located security officer who never sees the traveler. Further, these technologies cannot save, print, or transmit images. Once the image is deleted it cannot be restored. To further protect passenger privacy, TSA is testing backscatter technology with an algorithm applied to the entire image.

"We are looking forward to testing this new technology," said John McCaffrey, Federal Security Director Greater Rochester International Airport, Transportation Security Administration. "This is an additional layer of security that gives our officers the tools to detect threats and has privacy protections built in for the traveling public."

Backscatter technology uses low-level X-ray and a single scan is the equivalent of flying on an airplane for approximately two minutes. This technology produces an image that allows TSA to remotely screen the passenger for threats without physical contact. It is safe for all passengers.

At Rochester, TSA will assess the operational efficiency and public acceptance of backscatter technology as the primary screening technology in lieu of the traditional metal detector. Imaging technology not only enhances security, it reduces the need for pat-down searches for passengers with joint replacements and other medical conditions.

TSA says imaging technology is a critical layer of security that enables them to screen passengers for a wide range of threats while maintaining passenger privacy. Layers of security, like this one, are integrated to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of the traveling public, they say.

FMI: www.tsa.gov