People horrified at video showing what airport security could see when you walked through X-ray machine
Footage of what airport-goers look like in the X-ray security scanners has left some people pretty shocked.
The Rapiscan scanners - which cost $180,000 each - were first introduced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after a failed underwear bombing on Christmas Day in 2009.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab - who'd concealed plastic explosives in his underwear on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit - was thankfully restrained by passengers in his detonation attempt.
A total of 174 scanners were reportedly in use in 30 US airports at the time, and all of them displayed a full 'nude' X-ray of each passenger.
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While in the UK, full-body scanners were used at 10 of Britain's largest airports in 2013.
You can see what the machines captured here:
The scanners brought on a lot of backlash as people refused to go through the machines, and were being dubbed as 'virtual strip searches' by complainers, CNN reported.
TSA initially defended its machines, adding at the time: "TSA constantly evaluates and updates screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats, and we have done so several times already this year.
"As such, TSA has implemented an enhanced pat down at security checkpoints as one of our many layers of security to keep the traveling public safe."
Eventually it seemed that TSA had no choice but to remove the tech from airports.
"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.
"By June 2013 travelers will only see machines which have ATR that allow for faster throughput."
Commenting on the procedure at the time, one viewer said they'll 'just drive everywhere', adding: "I have driven from East coast to West coast plenty of times and enjoyed it."
Another added: "Wow, I never see scanners like that. Only in America maybe."
A third claimed it was a 'bunch of BS', calling it 'security theater'.
"| used to be a frequent flyer...not anymore. I would opt-out, but I would not allow a stranger to grope and feel me up either." they continued to say.
While someone else claimed they had been through the machine 'multiple times', adding: "I notice no delay at all & it's really not as bad as this video makes it out to be."
And those who are only just finding out about the scanners now were completely shocked, too.
"I honestly thought x-ray meant you can only see the bones." one person tweeted.
Another quipped: "Is this why I always get put aside?"
"Is this for real?" a third said.
Topics: Travel
Anish Vij