You may not be allowed to opt out of full-body scans at the airport anymore.
The Transportation Security Administration, which manages security for all modes of transport in the U.S., currently uses Advanced Imaging Technologies to discover potentially dangerous items on a traveler’s person. Operating protocol generally allows people to opt out of the scan and have a physical screening instead, but TSA just updated its rules.
Agents can now deny a request to opt out of the scan, “as warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security.” The technology makes it easier to detect “both metallic and non-metallic threat objects.”
The Department of Homeland Security published the updated Privacy Impact Assessment on its website, and echoed the news on Twitter:
Generally, passengers undergoing screening will have the option to decline AIT screening in favor of a pat-down. Some passengers… 1/2
— TSA (@TSA) December 22, 2015
…will still be required to undergo AIT screening as warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security. 2/2
— TSA (@TSA) December 22, 2015
The updated policy comes as both airlines and passengers have grown increasingly concerned about travel security following the November Paris attacks and a plane crash of a Metrojet airliner over Egypt, which Russia has attributed to terror activity.