A company called American Science and Engineering is in the news for the recent revelation that they have sold over 500 backscatter x-ray scanners mounted in unmarked vans, the same ones being routinely used in airport security that can see through clothing. These unidentifiable vans will be and certainly already are roaming American streets and indiscriminately viewing the insides of every vehicle they pass. Forbes explained the current reach of this invasive technology as such:
“This product is now the largest selling cargo and vehicle inspection system ever”
They also go on to explain the finer details of operations:
The Z Backscatter Vans, or ZBVs, as the company calls them, bounce a narrow stream of x-rays off and through nearby objects, and read which ones come back. Absorbed rays indicate dense material such as steel. Scattered rays indicate less-dense objects that can include explosives, drugs, or human bodies. That capability makes them powerful tools for security, law enforcement, and border control.
Appropriately enough Joe Reiss, president of the company that manufactures the x-ray scanners is so tied up in the money he is making and the promotion of how well his product works that he is incapable of understanding what exactly the word privacy even means.
“From a privacy standpoint, I’m hard-pressed to see what the concern or objection could be,”
Yes it is hard to see what concerns people might have over strangers searching their belongings with an x-ray scanner. Sounds perfectly normal and acceptable to us all. As long as there are some strong safeguards and legal framework to keep citizens safe from entrapment and warrant-less searches. Sadly, American citizens don't have rights anymore, we're all just chattel awaiting our next strip search as the final nail is driven in to the coffin of our privacy:
Just what sort of safeguards might be in place for AS&E’s scanning vans isn’t clear, given that the company won’t reveal just which law enforcement agencies, organizations within the DHS, or foreign governments have purchased the equipment.
They also go on to explain the finer details of operations:
The Z Backscatter Vans, or ZBVs, as the company calls them, bounce a narrow stream of x-rays off and through nearby objects, and read which ones come back. Absorbed rays indicate dense material such as steel. Scattered rays indicate less-dense objects that can include explosives, drugs, or human bodies. That capability makes them powerful tools for security, law enforcement, and border control.
Appropriately enough Joe Reiss, president of the company that manufactures the x-ray scanners is so tied up in the money he is making and the promotion of how well his product works that he is incapable of understanding what exactly the word privacy even means.
“From a privacy standpoint, I’m hard-pressed to see what the concern or objection could be,”
Yes it is hard to see what concerns people might have over strangers searching their belongings with an x-ray scanner. Sounds perfectly normal and acceptable to us all. As long as there are some strong safeguards and legal framework to keep citizens safe from entrapment and warrant-less searches. Sadly, American citizens don't have rights anymore, we're all just chattel awaiting our next strip search as the final nail is driven in to the coffin of our privacy:
Just what sort of safeguards might be in place for AS&E’s scanning vans isn’t clear, given that the company won’t reveal just which law enforcement agencies, organizations within the DHS, or foreign governments have purchased the equipment.
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