By Ellyn Fortino, Communications Intern

The first full-body scanners will arrive next week at O'Hare International Airport, according to a Chicago Tribune article. In the article, Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois said the body scanners are an invasion of privacy:

 

The full-body imaging machines peer through clothing -- showing shapes, folds of fat and other anatomical characteristics -- to identify possible hidden objects. Even though facial features are blurred to protect privacy, the images reveal breasts, buttocks and other private parts, prompting some civil liberties groups to call the machines an unacceptable intrusion.

"We have continued to express concerns about the use of these machines as a primary screener because it's an invasion of privacy that isn't necessary," said Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

 

 

Colleen Connell, executive director for the ACLU of Illinois, spoke to ABC 7 news regarding privacy concerns of the full-body scanners last year. Connell said full-body scanners are a virtual strip search.

 

 

Watch the broadcast that aired on December 30, 2009.