Technological Innovations: Overview part 2

Since its inception, technology has been at the core of our society. Nearly everything we do, centers around technological innovations. Now that various instances of technological innovations have been examined, it is important to analyze where such technology may progress to.
Various technological innovations have been set forth in recent years, while others have been around for some time now. It is difficult to predict what path our technology will lead us, as our technology has taken unpredictable paths. But one this is for certain, our society has clearly evolved more progressively in the past century than it has during the previous centuries combined.
Radio Frequency ID’s (RFID) will continue to expand in some form or another but it is when RFID’s are combined with other technological items is when the issue becomes truly complicated. This is simply because each item is made to stand out on its own. Each item has a basic purpose for making life easier and solving problems in society. But when does social conditions actually become a social problem?
Keylogging software and Global Positioning System (GPS) transmissions have made a mark as well, similar to RFID tags. All three were made to monitor the movements of individuals without their consent. Each item will continue to expand and will continue to monitor the lives of unsuspecting individuals as well. Fortunately, advocacy groups and lobbyists are making an effort to mandate laws to limit the expansion of such items for unwarranted purposes.
Wiretapping, roadside cameras, and full body scanners were made to expand on safety as well as compromise privacy. While various privacy issues come into play, if proper regulations are maintained, there should be minimal issues regarding the use of such technological items. It is when such items are used for personal gain or intended malice, is when the items would seriously pose a threat.
If technological items can be consistently regulated as they are being developed, there should be no complications or any implications to society’s need for privacy. But what happens if our technology overwhelms our society, would an effort to regulate such an expansion still be possible?

Airport security- Are virtual strip searches the new way of security?

New airport security measures are being established through the use of full body scanners. These scanners use state of the art invasive scans to essentially “x-ray” the entire body. The idea here is that metal scanners will eventually phase it out and bring forth this alleged new, speedier process to reduce travel delay without compromising national security.
What benefits will these scanners have? According to Kristin Lee, spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), these scanners “detect both metallic and nonmetallic threat items to keep passengers safe.” “It is proven technology, and we are highly confident in its detection capability.” Unfortunately, the problem here is that the images rendered are quite intrusive.
The images essentially render a nude image of the traveler, implying a full virtual strip search. It is so intrusive, that privacy advocates are demanding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to eliminate the use of these full body scanners.
Currently, there are six major airports which have already begun using the full body scanners as a primary means for security. These airports are: San Francisco, Ca; Miami, Florida; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to the TSA, 99% of travelers prefer this method of security over others. One big factor is the speed of the process involved. A full scan may take anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds, while a pat down search may range anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. In addition, those with metal replacements of the body may enjoy the convenience of this new found machine. This is because traditional metal detectors would often sound when an individual with any sort of metal replacement within the body which ultimately resulted in pat downs. Basically, the scanner would generate a small radio frequency roughly a small fraction of what a cell phone frequency would emit. Next, the scanned image would be produced in a secured room separated from the actual scanning area; thus preventing security personnel at the scanning site from viewing the image, while the security personnel who actually views the image, has no view of the passenger’s identity.
While an overwhelming majority prefers this method, is it rather that the sample was too small to conclude? Or rather is it that many individuals simply would not challenge the new revolutionary procedure regardless if they are opposed to the scan or not? Overall, while this scanner is still in its Beta stage, the TSA assures travelers that precautionary measures will continue to be used to protect the identities of the scanned travelers.



http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/24/bc-canadian-airport-screening-new-technology.html
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-02-19-airport-scanners_N.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/05/18/airport.security.body.scans/