Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

[liberator]

Article is here.

Don't worry about distribution of the explicit images of yourself obtained via backscatter X-ray imaging. There's just no possibility of these images ever getting out. NOT!

Excerpts:
"The Transportation Security Administration said it has found a way to refine the machine's images so that the normally graphic pictures can be blurred in certain areas while still being effective in detecting bombs and other threats."

Should we call this "insecurity though obscurity"? It seems to defeat the purpose of having this technology in the first place.


"Some say the high-resolution images - which clearly depict the outline of the passenger's body, plus anything attached to it, such as jewelry - are too invasive.

But the TSA said the X-rays will be set up so that the image can be viewed only by a security officer in a remote location. Other passengers, and even the agent at the checkpoint, will not have access to the picture.

In addition, the system will be configured so that the X-ray will be deleted as soon as the individual steps away from the machine. It will not be stored or available for printing or transmitting, agency spokesman Nico Melendez said. "

Now that's just downright laughable. I won't even begin to count the reasons why this is insecure.

[astcell]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Egads that "nude" picture of her is horrible. Maybe she always wanted to be an exhibitionist.

Although I do not really have an issue with the backscatter idea, I think I would take another airport out of town to avoid the machines based on principle. I feel like next we will have to wear a pink tut and recite the pledge before getting on a plane. Heck we already have to put shampoo in a tiny plastic bag, whoa it is nice to know those tiny little bags can stop huge explosions. Gimme a break, these people do not know what they are doing.

I know a smoke who flies with about ten lighters, and although at each airport some get caught, not all do.

[renderman]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

I think everyone should write some happy little messages to the TSA in foil tape on the inside of their shirts.

[Rance]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Yeah sure the x-rays are going to be deleted The x rays will probably turn up on "Flight Passengers Gone Wild(c)". I can just hear it now...

oh yeah look at that that naughty naught girl she's got a bottle of water yeah baby try to explain how you got it past security

[TheCotMan]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

If they scan children, would those scans count as "kiddie porn" ?

Unrelated to that, how would you like to have the job where you look at people that look like that? You won't be looking at only, "sexy people," but be looking at average and below average people.

Folds of flesh, man-boobs, the ravaging effects of gravity and time, the elderly, body piercings, clamps, rings, belts, plugs, and lots of time looking as what appear to begreyscale images of bald, hairless, greyscale "naked" people.

Think of the suffering that would be caused. The poor screener locked in a room staring at this all day long.

Then again, maybe it will help to define a new kind of fettish for such federal employees, and this private room will be renamed from "The Security Scanning Room" to "The Fap-Fap Room."

I think it would be fine if this were used as an alternative to a strip serch, but not for each and every search.

If this actually gets used, we get one step closer to the idea I proposed before, where everyone arrives, at the airport, board planes, disembark, and depart airports-- NAKED. This would be a much better idea, so that everyone is subjected to the same harsh treatment of having to see each other naked.

[liberator]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Yeah sure the x-rays are going to be deleted The x rays will probably turn up on "Flight Passengers Gone Wild(c)". I can just hear it now...

This will be the next "flash mountain".

[Rance]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

where everyone arrives, at the airport, board planes, disembark, and depart airports-- NAKED.

Great that means I'm going to have to get in shape (other than round) or never fly.

Some say the high-resolution images - which clearly depict the outline of the passenger's body, plus anything attached to it, such as jewelry - are too invasive.

Those some are stupid because judging by the picture of the woman compared to the scan image I can't even tell who that is. But what they should be worried about is what are they going to do about the things that are hidden inside people. Can you say anal probe?

[liberator]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

But what they should be worried about is what are they going to do about the things that are hidden inside people. Can you say anal probe?

Given the trends to every more invasive security theater, I would expect the next step to image what's inside as well. Pretty soon you will get a free checkup on that heart stent or see how your stomache stables are holding up.

Seriously though, where does this end? The passengers get subjected to ever more humiliation and potential for abuse, while virtually unown, unscreened people a still allowed (and paid!) to crawl around in the baggage hold. Not to mention hauling a few dozen or hundred hot LiON batteries (aka roman candles) on each flight in the form of laptop computer batteries. I suppose it's the nature of a security apparatus that is driven by politics rather than effectiveness.

My favorite personal incident was about a year ago. After being thoroughly screened in Frankfurt, including giving up nail clippers, all of us passengers in business class were handed a steel steak knife (Lufthansa).

[astcell]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

What if you have some severe medical condition that shows up as a questionable image on the scan? Remember now, these are the people who think a flashlight is a questionable image and need to search.

So if this black spot appears on the scan will I be the free recipient of an anal probe because I may be smuggling something?

And if cell phones are bad for the brain, this can't be good.

[Rance]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Don't worry astell you probably will because if you fly enough the scanning machine will be the cause of it of the black spot in the first place. Look on the bright side though at least you know you've got a tumor, although you'll prolly get a bill on your health care from the FAA for one x-ray.

[patsprou]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Some day someone's going to find a material that will "mask" whatever they're carrying from the x-ray's view. That's why I agree with TheCotMan about people showing up at the airport naked. It might be "unethical" but it would be effective.

[cashmoney]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

Gimme a break, these people do not know what they are doing.

On a recent flight, I forgot about the small tweaker screwdriver that I had in my backpack. Upon discovery by the TSA personnel, it was quickly confiscated. The laughable part is that I sat down next to a lady while waiting to board the airplane that pulled out of her bag two 15 inch wooden knitting needles.

[signcarver]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

I guess that since the knitting needles were wood, the screener probably thought they would not be a danger to anyone that isn't a vampire. I used to make folding knives out of wood that were pretty sharp.

As for the steak knife mentioned before, I was on several flights that had no steak knives for steaks and chicken that really needed them. On one flight a passenger had trouble breathing and no one had anything that could cut the zip tie that sealed the medical oxygen bag.

The last time I flew, I left my friends apartment and a bag of fertilizer had spilled in the walkway with no real way to walk around it... I was paranoid that they would find traces of it on my shoes and think I was up to something.

[Floydr47]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

If they scan children, would those scans count as "kiddie porn" ?

Unrelated to that, how would you like to have the job where you look at people that look like that? You won't be looking at only, "sexy people," but be looking at average and below average people.

Folds of flesh, man-boobs, the ravaging effects of gravity and time, the elderly, body piercings, clamps, rings, belts, plugs, and lots of time looking as what appear to begreyscale images of bald, hairless, greyscale "naked" people.

You say that like it is a BAD thing...geeks have all the fun.

[[Syntax]]

Re: Feds about to launch a huge cracking target?

I had just gotten done with photographing product for a customer of mine. They are a Fireworks Distributor.. I got pulled aside at the airport for explosives screening of my laptop and camera..

After they swabbed my camera and put it in the machine it took a long time.. compared to my laptop. I jokingly told the security lady, "its taking a long time.. I wonder if its gonna go off" she gave me a dirty look and said "dont say things like that".. and I told her, well I just photographed fireworks in fireworks warehouse last week.

On a side note.. I passed thru airport security at DC 13 and they saw me carrying a poster and my laptop (the old DC9 one I think with the pill capsule) and it was even rolled up, one of the screeners said "so how was Defcon". My only thought was, at least they arent totally clueless as so things going on in Vegas.