Jun 2, 2010

Airport security should trump privacy

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Tuesday that concerns over privacy should not hamper cooperation on airport security.

"I want to stress, I am respectful and cognizant of the privacy concerns," referring to protests against a US drive to use full body X-ray scans at airports.

"Respect for privacy is a value we share. But all countries have unique legal traditions, cultural differences, and political realities.

"I believe that we should not allow these differences to keep us from working toward a common goal and a deep and stronger partnership with respect to security and privacy," she said.

Civil liberties groups and Muslim groups have protested the move, because the body scanners provide full-body imaging.

Napolitano went on to say that producers of the body scanners are already working on developing new machines that take privacy into consideration.

Link

(click on cartoon to enlarge)