BSIA defends the use of full-body scanners in UK airports

In light of the full-body scanners recently hitting the headlines again, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is highlighting the importance of safety over sensationalism.

Just last week claims were made from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan that on a recent trip through Heathrow Airport his scanned image was printed out and shared among staff. Following this incident, we have heard warnings from the Equality and Human Rights Commission that body scanners may be illegal because they could breach passengers' rights to privacy.

Ashley Smith, the BSIA's Civil Aviation Security Section Chairman, comments: "The attempted terrorist attack that took place over Detroit on Christmas Day alone provides a stark reminder of the importance of aviation security. Technology such as full-body scanners plays a vital role in helping airport staff to maintain vigilance and carry out all-important security checks."

"To better protect an individual's privacy, full-body scanners should not work in the same manner as the hand-luggage scanners we are all used to seeing at the airport. Image analysis should be done remotely, out of sight of the scanned passenger, with systems incapable of storing, exporting or transmitting those images. All images should be automatically deleted from the systems after they have been reviewed."

"The use of full-body scanners is simply an evolution of existing security technology and allows passengers to travel safely and securely with minimum delay or disruption to their journey. With this in mind, the private security industry has welcomed the Government's support for full-body scanning technology in UK airports."

To find out more about the BSIA's Civil Aviation Section, visit http://www.bsia.co.uk/aviation

Fast facts: