anyuser
19-09-2009, 12:39 PM
News Canada
Green light for scanners
Virtual strip search technology gets thumbs up, despite problems
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is charging ahead with plans to buy seven controversial virtual strip search scanners, but has decided against genital blurring software to go with them.
According to documents obtained by Sun Media under Access to Information, CATSA is recommending Transport Canada accept the scanner for use in Canada even though a seven-month trial at Kelowna International Airport showed the machine didn't meet the security agency's expectations.
CATSA's 60-page report shows the scanner took much more time to process travellers than a regular pat-down or metal detector and left blind spots over the head and feet.
An average of 61 people were scanned every hour compared to the expected 300 to 600 travellers. The device didn't detect any body-worn threat on the 32,000 passengers scanned during the trial period from June 2008 to January 2009.
Privacy watchdogs are concerned images generated by the scanner are too detailed. The pictures are revealing, and some might be "very identifiable," said Fred Carter, a senior policy adviser with Ontario's privacy commissioner.
But CATSA recommends the federal government skip ordering genital blurring technology after problems were identified during the trial.
"It was for security reasons. If someone wanted to hide something in these parts we would not see it," said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque.
Larocque said it is "too early to tell" if CATSA would consider purchasing other privacy software.
$200,000 EACH
"Once we purchase the technology, then we will see how we will use it and deploy it," he said.
CATSA plans to buy seven machines before the end of March. The scanners cost about $200,000 each.
Gregory Tobin of L-3 Communications, the maker of the scanner deployed in Kelowna, said the blurring problem CATSA identified has been fixed.
Micheal Vonn of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association said CATSA failed to properly advise trial participants what they were consenting to.
"It is shocking conduct on the part of the government, it is scientifically irrational, it has constituted terrible faith with the travelling public," she said.
Vonn worries the government plans to eventually use virtual strip scanners as a primary screening mechanism.
But Chris Hilton, spokesman for junior transport minister Rob Merrifield, said the scanners will only be used instead of a pat-down.
CATSA recently submitted a privacy impact assessment report to Canada's privacy commissioner.
"We are going to encourage CATSA to explore less intrusive methods of screening," said spokeswoman Anne-Marie Hayden.
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PILOT PROJECT
SOME FINDINGS OF THE TEST RUN
CATSA says 95% of people surveyed preferred the millimeter wave scanner instead of a "full-physical pat down."
CATSA did not ask if travellers preferred to walk through a metal detector.
Comments from passengers travelling through Kelowna Airport during the "virtual strip search" trial, as documented by CATSA:
- "I call it Airport Strip and the guy behind the screen could be a Peeping Tom."
- "The sales pitch delivered by the security person outside the screening area was obviously biased in favour of this technology ... He failed to mention the fact that several EU countries have already, or plan to, ban the use of these devices on the grounds that they offend basic human dignity."
- "Simply, you violate my privacy."
- "(The optional trial was) deliberately misleading so that they can test the technology with few objections/refusals from the public."
- "Citizens need not be subjected to standard electronic skin searches simply to leave a Canadian destination."
- "According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure ... this violates my rights."
Whole article quoted b/c its so important/redundancy. http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/09/11/10834091-sun.html
Green light for scanners
Virtual strip search technology gets thumbs up, despite problems
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is charging ahead with plans to buy seven controversial virtual strip search scanners, but has decided against genital blurring software to go with them.
According to documents obtained by Sun Media under Access to Information, CATSA is recommending Transport Canada accept the scanner for use in Canada even though a seven-month trial at Kelowna International Airport showed the machine didn't meet the security agency's expectations.
CATSA's 60-page report shows the scanner took much more time to process travellers than a regular pat-down or metal detector and left blind spots over the head and feet.
An average of 61 people were scanned every hour compared to the expected 300 to 600 travellers. The device didn't detect any body-worn threat on the 32,000 passengers scanned during the trial period from June 2008 to January 2009.
Privacy watchdogs are concerned images generated by the scanner are too detailed. The pictures are revealing, and some might be "very identifiable," said Fred Carter, a senior policy adviser with Ontario's privacy commissioner.
But CATSA recommends the federal government skip ordering genital blurring technology after problems were identified during the trial.
"It was for security reasons. If someone wanted to hide something in these parts we would not see it," said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque.
Larocque said it is "too early to tell" if CATSA would consider purchasing other privacy software.
$200,000 EACH
"Once we purchase the technology, then we will see how we will use it and deploy it," he said.
CATSA plans to buy seven machines before the end of March. The scanners cost about $200,000 each.
Gregory Tobin of L-3 Communications, the maker of the scanner deployed in Kelowna, said the blurring problem CATSA identified has been fixed.
Micheal Vonn of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association said CATSA failed to properly advise trial participants what they were consenting to.
"It is shocking conduct on the part of the government, it is scientifically irrational, it has constituted terrible faith with the travelling public," she said.
Vonn worries the government plans to eventually use virtual strip scanners as a primary screening mechanism.
But Chris Hilton, spokesman for junior transport minister Rob Merrifield, said the scanners will only be used instead of a pat-down.
CATSA recently submitted a privacy impact assessment report to Canada's privacy commissioner.
"We are going to encourage CATSA to explore less intrusive methods of screening," said spokeswoman Anne-Marie Hayden.
---
PILOT PROJECT
SOME FINDINGS OF THE TEST RUN
CATSA says 95% of people surveyed preferred the millimeter wave scanner instead of a "full-physical pat down."
CATSA did not ask if travellers preferred to walk through a metal detector.
Comments from passengers travelling through Kelowna Airport during the "virtual strip search" trial, as documented by CATSA:
- "I call it Airport Strip and the guy behind the screen could be a Peeping Tom."
- "The sales pitch delivered by the security person outside the screening area was obviously biased in favour of this technology ... He failed to mention the fact that several EU countries have already, or plan to, ban the use of these devices on the grounds that they offend basic human dignity."
- "Simply, you violate my privacy."
- "(The optional trial was) deliberately misleading so that they can test the technology with few objections/refusals from the public."
- "Citizens need not be subjected to standard electronic skin searches simply to leave a Canadian destination."
- "According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure ... this violates my rights."
Whole article quoted b/c its so important/redundancy. http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/09/11/10834091-sun.html