Manchester Airport Stops Scanning Kids

It now appears that Manchester Airport will not be using their new scanning technology on passengers under 18 years of age. The new scanning technology, which is used to view hidden weapons that passengers could be carrying under their clothing, also shows a picture of the person’s body under their clothing. Thus, these new see-through security scanners have brought up new concerns for underage passengers.

These new full body scanners, which were just unveiled earlier this month at Manchester Airport, have now been banned from scanning underage kids. This is due to the fact that civil rights groups think that these scans could be breaching laws protecting children.

According to the Action of Rights for Children, the scanners could be breaking the Protection of Children Act of 1978. This is a law which makes it illegal to create an indecent image of a child. A spokesperson for the airline said that this was a grey area with the new scanners. Thus, until the law is clarified, no one under the age of 18 will be able to go through the new scanners. They will be faced with conventional security checks.

The spokesperson for the airline went on to add that they are not going to break the law in order to improve the security at Manchester Airport. If there is a problem with the scanners, then the airport will take a different position on the new technology. The airport was quick to point out that the images that are made by the scanner are destroyed right away.