Sunday, January 17, 2010
Body scanners risk right to privacy, says UK watchdog
Posted on 4:14 PM by Latest News
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said the devices risked breaching an individual's right to privacy under the Human Rights Act.
They are being introduced in response to the alleged attempt to blow up an American plane on 25 December.
Ministers have said protecting people's life and liberty is paramount.
The prime minister has pledged to introduce full body scanners at British airports, and they are due to be in operation at Heathrow Airport by the end of this month.
They produce "naked" images of passengers, and civil rights groups warn they could generate illegal images of children and images of celebrities that could be leaked online.
In response to such fears, the Department of Transport said it was developing a staff code of practice for airport body scanners.
In addition to body scanners, the government is also considering "additional targeted passenger profiling".
'Proportionate measures'
In its letter, the EHRC calls on Home Secretary Alan Johnson to set out in detail the justification for bringing in body scanners, and clarify what safeguards will be put in place.
The watchdog has said the proposals are likely to have a negative impact on privacy, especially in relation to certain groups such as disabled people, the elderly, children and the transgendered community.
It also wants to see the evidence for the profiling of air passengers.
John Wadham, group director legal at the EHRC, said the commission accepted the government had a responsibility to protect air travellers.
They are being introduced in response to the alleged attempt to blow up an American plane on 25 December.
Ministers have said protecting people's life and liberty is paramount.
The prime minister has pledged to introduce full body scanners at British airports, and they are due to be in operation at Heathrow Airport by the end of this month.
They produce "naked" images of passengers, and civil rights groups warn they could generate illegal images of children and images of celebrities that could be leaked online.
In response to such fears, the Department of Transport said it was developing a staff code of practice for airport body scanners.
In addition to body scanners, the government is also considering "additional targeted passenger profiling".
'Proportionate measures'
In its letter, the EHRC calls on Home Secretary Alan Johnson to set out in detail the justification for bringing in body scanners, and clarify what safeguards will be put in place.
The watchdog has said the proposals are likely to have a negative impact on privacy, especially in relation to certain groups such as disabled people, the elderly, children and the transgendered community.
It also wants to see the evidence for the profiling of air passengers.
John Wadham, group director legal at the EHRC, said the commission accepted the government had a responsibility to protect air travellers.
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