There have been many concerns voiced over a new revealing airport scanner being tested in the UK.  The new device, which provides a full body scan, can detect any hidden weapons or explosives without the person having to remove their clothing.  Many passengers are upset saying that the scan is a little too revealing, showing breast enlargements, genital outlines as well as any piercings.  There apparently may also be an issue as to whether the scans violate the UK's 1978 Protection of Children act, which states that it is illegal to show or make an indecent image of a child.

The machine, which costs close to $140,000 US dollars, works by beaming electromagnetic waves at passengers as they stand in a booth.  A three dimensional image is created by the machine and then accessed by an officer sitting in a different portion of the building.  The technology has already been tested in Heathrow and is expected to roll out into all of the UK if successful. 

A similar type of scanner machine has been tested this year in several U.S. airports.  These machines are produced by L3 Communications, which is based out of New York.  Passengers must first remove all metal objects, jackets and shoes.  They are then asked to step into a small glass chamber and lift their arms over their head.  Electromagnetic waves are used to create an image which is then reviewed.  The scan blurs out the face of the passenger, and the images are not stored.  It has still been enough to raise concerns as to whether these machines are violating personal rights.

The TSA currently has full body scanners in trials at Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Miami, San Fransisco, Tulsa and Albuquerque.