[LINK] new X-ray technology for Australian airports
Kim Holburn
kim at holburn.net
Fri Feb 25 15:49:33 AEDT 2011
It's the Niemöller effect that I find worrying.
On 2011/Feb/25, at 3:36 PM, Roger Clarke wrote:
> At 14:44 +1100 25/2/11, Kim Holburn wrote:
>> Just when you think that you don't have any more privacy to lose the
>> government comes up with a new and dangerous way.
>> I'd love to see a risk assessment on this. Let's just x-ray
>> everyone without a medical case. Our society would be much safer,
>> except for the increase in cancer, but we're working on that.
>> http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/no-place-left-to-hide-drugs-with-x-ray-technology/story-e6frfq80-1226011075259
>
> My post to the privacy list this morning is below.
>
> Apologies to Jan, Karl, and anyone else who's on both lists.
>
> Got to leave shortly, to get to Tony's farewell!!
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
>
> Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:37:34 +1100
> To: privacy at lists.efa.org.au
> From: Roger Clarke <Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au>
> Subject: Body Scanning for Drug Courier Suspects
>
> Minister for Home Affairs and 'Justice', incl. Customs:
> http://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/www/ministers/oconnor.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2011_FirstQuarter_23February2011-Usingtechnologytostopdrugcouriersatourairports
>
> In FY 2009-10, "Customs and the Australian Federal Police identified
> 48 drug couriers attempting to import more than 27 kilograms of
> illicit drugs within their bodies ... 205 people were taken to
> hospital for examination under suspicion of having drugs concealed
> internally. Upon medical examination, less than a quarter were found
> to be carrying drugs".
>
> An amendment to the Customs Act has been tabled in the House of Reps,
> which would enable the use of body scanning.
>
> "To conduct a body scan, Customs will have to form a reasonable
> suspicion that a person is carrying drugs internally and the suspect
> must consent to being scanned. If they refuse, they will instead
> undergo a hospital examination, which is the current practice".
>
> "The option of an internal body scan will more quickly exonerate the
> innocent and ensure a minimum of delay for legitimate travellers," Mr
> O'Connor said. 'The use of internal body scanning technology at
> airports is also expected to present significant time and money
> savings to Customs, AFP and our hospitals'. [Not 'our' technology,
> airports, money, Customs or AFP, but 'our' hospitals. There must be
> some dorkish PR rule that says to associate the Minister with warm
> and cuddly things.]
>
> "As Minister for Privacy, I'm acutely aware of community concerns
> about the use of such technology. I'd like to assure the public that
> this technology will be subject to strict controls.
>
> "Most importantly, body scanning technology will not be used on all
> travellers or used randomly - it will only be used where there is a
> reasonable suspicion that a person is carrying drugs internally. In
> addition a suspect must consent to the use of body scanning
> technology."
>
> 'Measures to ensure privacy and individual rights are respected include:
> * law enforcement agencies form a reasonable suspicion that a
> person may be carrying illicit drugs internally before the technology
> can be used
> * a suspect must given written consent to being subject to body
> scanning technology. If they don't, a hospital examination will be
> conducted, as is the current practice
> * the operation of the body scanning technology will be conducted
> by a specially trained Customs officer
> * the images taken are subject to storage, access and destruction controls
> * children, pregnant women and the mentally impaired will not be
> offered a body scan.
>
> 'Customs and Border Protection is working with the Office of the
> Australian Information Commissioner to ensure that the use of the
> technology balances law enforcement needs with privacy concerns.'
>
>
> Customs Amendment (Serious Drugs Detection) Bill 2011
> Short Second Reading Speech:
> http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2011-02-23.12.1
> http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/R4521
>
>
> Quick reactions:
>
> BAD Features
> - no PIA
> - no consultative processes
> - establishes a precedent for the use for body scanners
> - [guess:] relatively high levels of radiation necessary
>
> GOOD Features
> - reasonable grounds for suspicion
> - right of refusal
> - reasonably likely to be effective for purpose
> - establishes a precedent for the *responsible* use for body scanners
>
> UNCERTAIN FEATURES
> - will it be cost-effective?
> If not, then its purpose is simply to be the thin end of the wedge:
> 'Oooh, we've got this expensive technology installed and we don't
> make nearly enough use of it!'
>
> __________________
>
> [The article below is an all-too-common re-print of government
> information pretending to be journalism (but at least it gave some
> exposure to the Media Release).]
>
> No place left to hide drugs with new X-ray technology for airports
> By Matt Johnston
> Herald Sun
> February 24, 2011 3:07AM
> http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/no-place-left-to-hide-drugs-with-x-ray-technology/story-e6frfq80-1226011075259
>
> New X-ray machines that highlight internal cavities will be trialled
> at airports
>
> NEW X-ray technology that can reveal drug smugglers' internal
> cavities will be trialled at airports under a plan to fast-track
> security searches.
>
> Legislation before Federal Parliament would enable customs officers
> to use new body scanners instead of sending suspects to hospital for
> internal X-rays ordered by a doctor, reported the Herald Sun.
>
> Federal police wasted more than 4600 hours in hospital waiting rooms
> last year because of drug smugglers waiting for scans.
>
> More than 200 people were taken to hospital for internal searches,
> with almost 50 found to have drugs in their bodies.
>
> Drug couriers captured by Australian authorities at airports last
> year were carrying a total of 27kg of drugs.
>
> Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said the scanners would also
> help innocent travellers.
>
> "The option of an internal body scan will more quickly exonerate the
> innocent and ensure a minimum of delay for legitimate travellers," Mr
> O'Connor said.
>
> He said the new X-rays would be used only if suspects agreed to undergo scans.
>
> Mr O'Connor said people carrying drugs inside their bodies could die
> if bags split or leak, so it was important to check as soon as
> possible.
>
> Specially trained customs officers would be authorised to screen the
> alleged smugglers.
>
> Under current laws, an internal X-ray scan can only be done by a
> doctor at a hospital or surgery centre.
>
> The proposed trial would start later this year, at a date to be set
> if legislation passes both Houses of parliament.
>
> Mr O'Connor said he understood privacy concerns in relation to
> internal X-ray use, and the technology would only be used with strict
> controls, including destruction controls.
>
> There would also be exemptions for pregnant women, people with mental
> impairments and those under 18.
>
>
> --
> Roger Clarke http://www.rogerclarke.com/
>
> Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
> Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
> mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au http://www.xamax.com.au/
>
> Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre Uni of NSW
> Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University
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--
Kim Holburn
IT Network & Security Consultant
T: +61 2 61402408 M: +61 404072753
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