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Will any Australian Airport introduce the "virtual strip" full body scanner?

Current forecast: Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk (50% chance17%)
Combining all predictions, the current most likely outcome is Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk with a probability of 50% (up 17% in last 1 day)

A TRIAL of new security scanners that will subject travelers to a "virtual strip search" will start at Australian airports this month. The trial will take place at Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide airports from this month to the end of next month.

The X-ray technology, which is high energy and claimed to be harmless, allows screeners to detect non-metallic devices, objects and weapons concealed on a person's body, but also to see a person's organs and genitals.

"It provides detailed images of a person's body, in particular body shape, which many people might find highly embarrassing," says Stephen Blanks of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties.

Adelaide University civil liberties expert Allan Perry said the technology could breach people's privacy if used as a general measure for all passengers rather than those identified as a security risk.

"If this is done on a widespread basis without selectivity it certainly goes beyond an appropriate balance of personal privacy and security," he said. "Simply because something is being done for the purpose of security does not justify intrusive and invasive searches of people. If you said that everyone who wanted to board an aircraft would be physically strip-searched people would object. This is tantamount to the same thing."

To settle, at least one airport must announce the usage of the system in the future before suspension of this question, which is within one month after the trial period. If both the "general measure" and the "security risk" option apply, the "general measure" is the option to be settled.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,,24432963-5014090,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,24440099-5014090,00.html


Settlement details: As reported by a major mainstream news source.

 
Forecast history, %
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Yes, as general measure for all passengers
11%
Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk
50%
No, no airport will introduce the scanner
39%
Activity: H$15,337
Question suspends in 4 weeks

Suspend date: Wed 31st Dec 7:59am PST (4 weeks to go)

Initial likelihoods: Yes, as general measure for all passengers: 5%, Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk: 30%, No, no airport will introduce the scanner: 65%

Action history:

Created Mon 13th Oct 2:01pm PDT by kruijs[Power User]

Suspend date: Wed 31st Dec 7:59am PST (4 weeks to go)
more info...

 

Predictions (157)

157 predictions

4 days ago
fourgrays predicted Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk (H$272 at 48%)
1 week ago
quisling predicted No, no airport will introduce the scanner (H$100 at 40%)
1 week ago
chathura predicted Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk (H$20 at 47%)
1 week ago
bobdevine predicted No, no airport will introduce the scanner (H$20 at 40%)
2 weeks ago
drachenstein predicted Yes, for passengers identified as a security risk (H$100 at 47%)
more

Comments (11)

  1 kruijs[Power User]
BTW: The high-tech machines are already in use at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, which introduced them in May 2007 following a year-long trial at crew security checkpoints.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE4961CO20081007
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au
posted 7 weeks ago
  2 tisha[Admin]
I was just going to ask whether these were the same as the ones at Schipol - I had the lovely experience of going through one, you have to stand in this cubicle with your arms up in the air and you feel like a right dork going through ...
posted 7 weeks ago
Maybe if they file you into two collums, one for males, one for females, then that would be less intrusive. And if your a transvestite..... stay off the plane.
posted 7 weeks ago
  4 randburg
And if you're a transvestite...you put half through each line! LOL.
posted 7 weeks ago
  5 nightwish
The war on sanity continues.
posted 7 weeks ago
  6 curios
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/techtrial/index.aspx
it is evidently used in some places in the USA ,Canada and Europe
posted 6 weeks ago
  7 kruijs[Power User]
@curios: duh! (see comment #1, #2)
posted 6 weeks ago
  8 kruijs[Power User]
"EU lawmakers have joined U.S. civil liberty campaigners in criticizing a new scanner technology that allows airport security staff to see through passengers' clothes, calling it a virtual strip search that should only be used as a last resort. (...) The new system, which the European Union plans to authorize at the bloc's airports, allows guards to see an outline of passengers' bodies beneath their clothes, making it easier to detect any concealed objects.
It already is being introduced in several U.S. airports and has been tested in other countries around the world, including EU nations such as Britain and the Netherlands. However, EU officials said it could face a ban if the 27-nation bloc does not include it in a new regulation listing acceptable airport security equipment.
(...) the technology should not be used routinely on passengers, but could be introduced when suspicions are raised."

http://www.pr-inside.com/eu-lawmakers-criticize-virtual-strip-r873008.htm
posted 6 weeks ago
I think that if they file you into two columns like i suggested earlier they would be met with a lot less criticism.
posted 5 weeks ago
  11 curios
@kruijs duh
posted 5 weeks ago

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