Millimeter-wave imaging comes to Cleveland, Houston airports
TSA expands its testing of millimeter wave and backscatter imaging systems, deploying them in Cleveland and Houston; TSA claims passengers’ privacy is guaranteed, but passengers can opt out of being screened and choose body pat instead
This past week the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that two airports would begin testing two full-body imaging technologies.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport will deploy both millimeter wave and backscatter imaging systems. Passengers can choose to not be screened with these systems, but then they must undergo a physical pat-down.
TSA is currently piloting state-of-the-art advanced imaging technologies. There are 46 units at 23 airports. Ten airports are testing the technology for primary screening, and it is being tested for secondary or random screening as an alternative to a pat-down at 13 additional airports.
Owing to lingering privacy concerns, use of whole body imaging technology is always 100 percent optional to all passengers.
