Full body scanner rejected by Dubai airports

The full body scanner has been introduced at UK airports to step up security and to replace the need for full body pat downs. The scanners were introduced in response to a terrorist threat on Northwest Airlines on Christmas day, 2009. But airports in Dubai have rejected the new device.

Airports in Dubai refuse to introduce the full body scanner to their security measures as they feel they do not adhere to local customs and religious beliefs. Security officials feel that the scanners would violate travellers' privacy. They feel that current security measures in Dubai airports are sufficient.

The images that are produced by the full body scanner are basically naked pictures of the person, revealing any weapons that might be concealed close to the body. But special software masks certain parts of the body to respect the person's privacy and all images are reportedly discarded after they've been viewed.

In the UK, two Muslim women were denied boarding after they refused to enter the full body scanner at Manchester airport earlier this year. The women were chosen at random, but refused to be scanned for religious reasons.

In addition to the violation of privacy, many are concerned that radiation from the scanners could cause cancer. Dr David Brenner, head of the centre for radiological research at Columbia University in New York, assures that the risk to individuals is very low.

Full body scanners are now in place at Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Travellers are selected at random to enter the full body scanner. Around 20% of travellers passing through the airports will be chosen to be scanned. If a suspicious object is found on your person, then a thorough search will be conducted in a private room. If you refuse to enter the scanner, you may be denied boarding.

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