Virtual strip scanners move closer for EU airports

The EU has taken another step towards the introduction of "virtual strip search" full body scanners at airports.

A workshop on aviation security and the use of full body scanners, which reveal a negative-like image of a person's body, was hosted by the European Commission last week.

The meeting looked at key privacy, regulatory and operational issues surrounding the scanners' use and the results of trials of the technology at London Heathrow, Schiphol in Amsterdam and Helsinki's Vantaa airport.

The trials found that 85 to 90 per cent of passengers accepted the use of the scanners and that they were more effective at detecting concealed items than the metal detectors and hand searches currently used by airport security, but they also found the scanners were about 10 to 15 per cent slower than current security screening.

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A key issue discussed at the meeting by the European Parliament, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), manufacturers and national authorities was the effect of the scanners on human rights, privacy, personal dignity and data protection.

It follows a European Parliament ruling that the scanners "have a serious impact on the fundamental rights of citizens", which also called for a detailed review of the technology before it is used.

The Commission said it will continue the process of examining how the scanners can be used in consultation with the EDPS, the Article 29 Working Party and the Fundamental Rights Agency.

Robert Missen, deputy head of aviation security at the European Commission, told silicon.com: "The Commission is now in the process of drawing up a package of rules for how the scanners will be deployed.

"There is consensus from everybody that body scanners should only be allowed under certain controlled conditions. I am convinced of the evidence supporting the introduction body scanners - it is about making sure that evidence is better explained.

"I hope we can still aim for the deadline of April 2010 for when the rules would in place and it would be possible to use the body scanners."

EU states at the workshop also discussed regulatory issues around the scanners' use, manufacturers involved in the trials made presentations on how a body scanner works and airport operators discussed issues that could affect their day-to-day use.