SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A new pilot program at Salt Lake International Airport is stirring up controversy. The airport is testing new security body scanners some people feel are too revealing.
These machines show about everything, and that's the both purpose and the problem.
They're designed to spot any hidden weapons people may be trying to carry on the plane. To do it, they see through clothing. It doesn't leave much for the imagination.
If you ask the American Civil Liberties Union, they feel it's a like a virtual strip search.
You'll see them starting Tuesday.
It's called Whole Body Imaging, or W.B.I. You walk through; the machine scans your body, and that scan is sent to a screen in a separate room where security workers can see a very detailed image of each passenger.
Salt Lake is one of several cities testing out the technology. You will also see them in airports in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami and Albuquerque.
Right now using the scanners is completely voluntary, but if the system works, they could be the future of airport security.
