Skip to main content

TSA to yank controversial ‘naked’ full-body scanners out of airports

Backscatter Scanner
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Detailed recently by USA Today, the Transportation Security Administration made an official announcement on Friday that the organization will be removing all full-body scanning machines produced by Rapiscan Systems from airports around the United States. The decision to replace the hardware was made after representatives of Rapiscan Systems informed the TSA that the company wouldn’t be able to update the software on the backscatter scanners by a deadline of June 1, 2013. Conceptually, the software update would show potentially dangerous items on an illustration of a body rather than a mostly nude picture of a passenger moving through the security line.  

backscatter imagePrior to this point, TSA representatives had defended this type of scanner and indicated that security employees that viewed the image had no form of interaction with the passenger. However, the TSA had quietly started to replace the scanners during late 2012.

Regarding the upgrade deadline, privacy advocates actively campaigned against the use of the scanners and Congress acted accordingly. Government officials ordered that the software used by the machines had to be upgraded by mid-2013 or the TSA simply had to remove the hardware from airports. 

After the TSA cancelled the contract with Rapiscan Systems, the organization will have to remove 174 backscatter scanners from thirty airports located in places like Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, Pittsburgh,  San Diego and Seattle. In addition, the TSA is already holding 76 machines in storage. At a cost of $180,000 per machine, those 250 full-body scanners cost the TSA approximately $45 million. However, the TSA can avoid paying an additional $45 million for the remaining 250 scanners that Rapiscan Systems was producing to fill an entire order of 500 machines. 

According to TSA spokesman David Castelveter, the backscatter machines will likely be replaced with traditional metal detectors in the thirty airports. However, the TSA also owns 669 millimeter-wave machines and will be moving some of those machines to those airports. Millimeter-wave machines have been praised for using radio waves to scan a body compared to radiation utilized by a backscatter scanner. In addition, the machines use a cartoon image to point out any areas of concern on a passenger’s body. 

Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
Amazon Big Spring Sale: Get up to 43% off Echo smart speakers
The Amazon Echo Pop on a desk.

Make your home smarter by equipping it with an Amazon Echo smart speaker. You'll be able to afford multiples of these Alexa-powered devices through the discounts that are available in Amazon's Big Spring Sale, with prices that start as low as $23. They're going to be more effective if there's one in every room in your house, so don't miss this chance to stretch your budget and buy more of these smart speakers in one transaction. It's highly recommended that you proceed with your purchase of these Amazon Echo deals as soon as possible though, as you're increasing the risk of missing out on the savings the more that you delay.

What to buy in Amazon's Big Spring Sale for Amazon Echo smart speakers

Read more
This Tineco cordless vacuum is 35% off in Amazon’s Big Spring sale
Cleaning the carpet using the Tineco Pure One S11 Spartan cordless vacuum.

The Amazon Big Spring sale brings with it some great cordless vacuum deals. Right now, you can buy the Tineco A11 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum for $189 meaning you save a huge $101 off the regular price of $290. The 35% saving is a pretty huge one and one that’s likely to not stick around for long given the sale is very limited. Check it out now by hitting the button below or read on while we take you through what you need to know about it.

Why you should buy the Tineco A11 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum
Sure to be one of the best cordless vacuums for many pet owners, there’s plenty to appreciate about the Tineco A11 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum. It has a 450W rated motor which is suitable for both carpets and hard floors. It has a specially designed brush that is designed to target hair messes as well as trap hairs without wrapping it among the brush. That makes it easier for you to clean the vacuum as well as tidy up around the home. Hair tangles are one of the most irritating parts of cleaning up a home with pets so that’s one key issue solved.

Read more
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more