Anonymous

The AIT systems deployed by the TSA have been introduced in conjunction with an invasive pat-down procedure which in many cases amounts to sexual assault. The pat down procedure is used to resolve alarms caused by the AIT and punitively against passengers who opt out of the scanner. Therefore, submitting to the AIT scanner does not eliminate the possibility of having one's genitalia groped in what amounts to government-sponsored sexual assault. The effetiveness of the MMW scanners is arguably less than that of conventional and less invasive walk through metal detectors. In fact, trials of the MMW scanners in Europe resulted in the technology not being widely deployed because of the high false positive rate of the system. Furthermore, methods have been demonstrated which defeat the MMW scanner and allow items to be brought through undetected (Jon Corbett). A security official from Israel also dismissed the usefulness of the MMW scanners citing similar weaknesses. In fact, the after the method of concealing contraband in the MMW scanners was publicized, I observed the TSA randomly patting down the sides of passengers, even with the MMW system gave an "OK" message. This is a clear admission that the technology has known vulnerabilities, however the TSA continues to procure and deploy these systems. I do not believe that the AIT systems represent any appreciable increase in security over the traditional walk through metal detectors and are in fact less effective. Even if they did, forcing passengers to submit to invasive groping as a condition for moving around the country is far too great a cost.