After a 2010 holiday season filled with traveler complaints and naked invasion of privacy charges, change is on the way.
This week, the Transportation Security Administration began testing new software that will now transmit a more modest image of travelers as they pass through the controversial airport screening machines. Under the new design, the TSA will still be able to detect potential explosives, except images will now be blurred to provide only a “generic outline” of passengers on TSA monitors.
The new technology is currently in place at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport for a 45 to 60 day trial period, but will be introduced at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Ronald Reagan Washington National within the next few days.
“Testing this new software will help us confirm test results that indicate it can provide the same high level of security as current advanced imaging technology units while further enhancing the privacy protections already in place,” TSA Administrator John Pistole said.
