Credit: @greendaylover44/X
What Airport Security Could See Through X-Ray Machine Leaves People Horrified
People have been left horrified after a social media user shared just how much airport security staff can see when you go through the scanner.
The process of going through airport scanners can be pretty mortifying at the best of times, if you’re the type of person who always has to be frisked.
But one traveler has officially unlocked a new fear, after he took to X to share exactly what airport staff saw when he went through the full body scanning machine.
It has been nearly 20 years since these kinds of scanners were introduced in airports across the United States, and while we can all agree that some form of scanning is absolutely necessary for keeping us safe, it seems no one has ever stopped to think about the potential invasion of privacy that comes with it.
Now, a viral image allegedly captured from one of the machines has told us all that we need to know.
And judging by people’s reactions, the results are far more revealing than many expected.
Why airport body scanners sparked privacy concerns
Back in 2013, the Guardian reported that the rollout of the scanners ‘proved controversial as they produced a detailed, ghost-like image of the naked body, which was viewed by security staff.’
At the time, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin in the UK sought to reassure the public, stating: “All security scanners deployed now use automatic threat recognition software which means that no image of a passenger is produced, thus alleviating any residual health or privacy concerns.”
The technology had actually been developed back in 2007, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) didn’t make them mandatory across the US until March 2010, following the attempted underwear bombing on Christmas Day in 2009.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to smuggle explosives hidden in his underwear onto a flight traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit. The incident prompted authorities to strengthen airport security procedures around the world.
As a result, travelers became accustomed to stricter screening measures, including liquid restrictions, removing electronic devices from bags, and, in some cases, taking off their shoes. Full-body scanners were added to that list, allowing security staff to detect potential threats concealed beneath clothing.
Viral airport scanner image shocks social media
One social media user, user known as @greendaylover44 on X, later shared what appeared to be a screenshot from one of the scanners.
According to many viewers, the image revealed far more detail than they had imagined.
In the United States, concerns surrounding passenger privacy eventually contributed to the removal of Rapiscan scanners from airports. Each machine reportedly cost around $180,000.
“Due to its inability to deploy non-imaging Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software by the Congressionally-mandated June 2013 deadline, TSA has terminated part of its contract with Rapiscan,” the TSA said in a statement at the time.
The image shared online quickly gained attention and sparked a wave of reactions.
Internet reacts to revealing TSA scanner photo
Alongside the image, @greendaylover44 wrote: “TSA can see your c*** and balls whenever you walk through the X-ray scanner.”
Many social media users were caught off guard by what they saw.
“I honestly thought X-ray meant you can only see the bones,” one person replied.
Another joked: “Is this why I always get put aside?”
“Definitely tucking my junk next time through, just to see if I get a reaction,” another laughed.
“Imagine the TRAUMA the American TSA staff have to endure,” joked another user.
Twitter user shares update years later
Four years later, original poster joined in on the jokes himself. Responding to the viral attention, he wrote: “I’m huge though so I’m not worried.”
Years after the image first circulated online, he returned with an update, revealing just how long people had continued discussing the post.
“This post will be four years old in a week. This is me and my girlfriend now, please stop asking to see my c***.”
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